Davis Law Group, P.S.

Texting While Driving Laws May Be Causing More Accidents

Based on research done by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), HLDI president Adrian Lund says that the texting bans have not reduced car accidents at all.

In fact, crashes have actually increased in three of the four states that were studied.

“It's an indication that texting bans might even increase the risk of texting for drivers who continue to do so despite the laws," says Lund.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that all reputable research indicates that increased awareness, good enforcement and tough laws will put a stop to distracted driving.

But is that what research shows?

A possible theory assumes that drivers are even more distracted by trying to hide their texting efforts from law enforcement. They are not stopping, just trying to be sneakier.

On the other hand, LaHood defends the ban explaining that last year’s data shows that highway fatalities associated with distracted driving did not increase for the first time ever.
 
“Unfortunately, so far, whether we look at handheld cellphones or whether we look at the texting bans, they do not seem to be working,’’ Lund said.