Phone and Text Bans On Drivers Shown Ineffective

shmG writes to share news of a recent study on the impact of laws which ban the use of cell phones while driving. There appears to be no reduction in accidents as a result of these laws. "The HLDI compared collisions of 100 insured vehicles per year in New York, Washington DC, Connecticut, and California — all states with currently enacted roadway text bans. Despite those laws, monthly fluctuations in crash rates didn't change after bans were enacted, [although] there were less people using devices while driving. An earlier study conducted by the HLDI reported that cellphone use was directly linked to four-fold increases in crash injuries. Also independent studies done by universities have shown correlation between driving while using a phone and crashes."

Comments

Culpability is culpability

[macraig]

Does it really f-ing matter whether you cause an accident because you were distracted by (a) holding a cellphone to your ear, (b) talking hands-free, (c) talking to a passenger, (d) fighting to control your children, (e) being drunk into a stupor, (f) being sleep deprived to the point of being a zombie, or (g) just daydreaming?

In terms of basic culpability, the answer is NO, it doesn't matter. You still caused an accident, regardless what particular behavior distracted you in the first place. Must we actually have specific laws describing every specific behavior as "criminal", when (a) those behaviors are only PRECURSORS to an actual criminal act and not truly criminal themselves and (b) we already have laws to handle murder, maiming, vehicular manslaughter, etc.?

This is what our elected legislators do to justify their existence? I want back all my tax dollars that went into their pension fund.

Re:Compliance Rates & Hands-Free Use

[celle]

"Driving is a privilege, not a right.
Cell phone use is a privilege, not a right."

If I paid/pay for it, it's a right not a privilege that you don't have the right to take away. Try it, we'll quickly be at ammo and wars have been fought over less.

This is the wrong way

[Psicopatico]

Just mandate a jammer in every brand new car and you're done.

Won't solve the bad drivers issue though.