SEATTLE - As states across the country, including Washington, ban cell phone use and texting while driving, a new study finds that those statutes have failed to reduce crashes. It's the first look at crashes in states with laws against hand-held cellphone use for drivers.
The new study, by the Institute of Highway Loss Data, has some puzzling results. It found that laws banning their use while behind the wheel have not led to fewer crashes.
"We do know laws, at least the hand-held bans, are working to reduce the number of people who are talking on their hand-held phone, but we don't see a comparable reduction in crashes," says Adrian Lund of the Highway Loss Data Institute. "In fact, we see no effect."
The Highway Loss Data research compared insurance claims for crash damage in four jurisdictions before and after bans were enacted in California, New York, Connecticut, and Washington, DC. Data was also collected in nearby areas without bans.
The findings are contrary to a nationwide push to get drivers to put down their phone. Close to 20 states, including Washington, have passed no texting laws or put restrictions on cell phone use while driving. And starting this week, big federal fines on any driver of a large truck or bus caught sending or reading text messages behind the wheel.
Those researchers are trying to figure out why their findings don't match up with what we already know about the risk.
The president of the Highway Loss Data Institute will present the information to the Society of Automotive Engineers in Washington, D.C., Friday.
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