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Study: texting ban hasn't resulted in fewer accidents

WASHINGTON  — A new study from the insurance industry finds that state laws banning wireless calling or texting while driving have not resulted in fewer vehicle crashes.

The study, conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute and released Friday, examined insurance claims from crashes before and after such bans took effect in California, New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C.

The organization finds that claims rates have not gone down after the laws were enacted. It also finds no change in patterns compared with other states without such bans.

The Highway Loss Data Institute, an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, says its findings "don't match what we already know about the risk of phoning and texting while driving" and says it is gathering data to "figure out this mismatch."

The Department of Transportation has in recent week placed an emphasis on stopping motorists from texting while driving.

The latest effort was an announcement this week that the DOT has made it illegal for drivers of commercial vehicles and buses to texting while driving.

Barb Kampbell of The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at [email protected] .

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