Texting bans increase crash rates. That headline has screamed from the pages of newspapers and web sites. The headline reflects the findings from a recently released Insurance Institute report. To quote from the Institute's report: "As well intentioned as they are, these laws (banning texting) haven't accomplished what the legislators intended. They haven't reduced crashes." Adrian Lund, president of the Institute, noted that the laws may increase crashes. So the headlines accurately reflect the claims. But is this the truth of the situation?
I found and read the Institute's report (no authors listed). The Institute looked at crash rates before and after texting bans went into effect in 4 states. They found statistical evidence of an increase in crash rates in 3 of the 4 states following the ban. So the Institute is correct to note that the bans have been ineffective if the goal is to decrease crash rates. This is the same group that last year looked at accident rates following bans of using hand-held phones and found no decrease in crash rates.
Since I've been, and continue to be, a strong advocate regarding bans of all cell phone uses while driving, I find the work somewhat disconcerting. There is plenty of research by a lot of investigators showing that people miss things when using a cell phone. In particular, in a 2005 report the same Insurance Institute reported a 4 times greater increase in injury crashes when people are using cell phones. How do we reconcile these differences?
First is to look at the obvious thing: what were the causes of the accidents? The Institute doesn't report that. They didn't even check. So we don't know if texting crashes increased or decreased during the period of time following the ban.
Second, did the ban have any effect of texting while driving rates. I live in Washington, one of the states studied. I am sad to say that in my state, I have not noticed any decrease in cell phone use while driving in the last few years -- in spite of changes in our laws. In one summary, the Institute reported that the texting while driving rates were not lower in states with texting bans. Until there is effective enforcement of the laws, then the laws won't have an effect. The Washington State Highway Patrol has started an enforcement campaign and I've heard from California officials that are starting a distracted driving campaign. I hope these work.
Third, are people changing to the cell phone uses that are still legal? In my state, like many others, texting and hand-held phones are illegal to use while driving. It is still legal to use a hands-free phone - EVEN though those are no better! With respect to cell phone conversations, it isn't what your hands are doing, it's what your head is doing. So if people are simply switching from one cell phone use to a different one, then I expect no improvement. If anything, things may get worse if people erroneously believe that hands-free phones are problem-free and increase their cell phone use while driving.
So I am sad that texting bans did not decrease crash rates (you can read my earlier rants about using cell phones while driving and walking: Texting Zombies, Hang Up and Drive, Unicycling Clowns). Given the limits of the research design, the limited level of enforcement, and the implications of safe forms of cell phone use, I am not surprised by the findings. The real question is not whether cell phone use causes accidents - that is clear. Cell phones are particularly egregious forms of driver distraction. The real question is what has to be done to decrease cell phone use during driving. Clearly, passing laws is not enough.
