The Washington Post published an article last week that discussed a study performed by the Highway Lost Data Institute (an Insurance industry group). The study reveals that distracted driving laws, such as bans on texting and cell phone use while driving, has not decreased the number of car accidents in several states. The study looked a car accident data from New York, California, Connecticut and Washington D.C.
The organization found that claims rates did not go down after the laws were enacted. It also found no change in patterns compared with nearby states without such bans.
Adrian Lund, the group’s president, said the finding doesn’t bode well “for any safety payoff from all the new laws.”
Not everyone is happy with the results of this study and the way this information is being handled. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood also has been campaigning against texting and cell phone use while driving. In a blog post Friday, LaHood dismissed the new study’s conclusions as irresponsible and said the study will lead people “to wrongly conclude that talking on cell phones while driving is not dangerous.”
The Post did not provide a link to the actual study but it seems a little premature to come to such a drastic conclusion. Saying the new law “do not work” seems overreaching at this point. I would like to look at the actual study and the numbers first as this article does state whether the data is looking at the gross number of accidents or accidents believed to be caused by distracted drivers. It will be interesting to see how safety groups around the country respond to the study and its’ findings.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.