Houston, TX (PressExposure) July 02, 2010 -- States not only are cracking down on distracted driving; they also are stepping up education and data collection programs, according to a new study by U.S. state and territorial highway safety departments.
"Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs" is the first comprehensive look at state activities and programs designed to address distracted driving, commonly the practice of text or talking on the cell phone while driving. The study was conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents 56 state and territorial highway safety departments.
Among its findings:
· Distracted driving has emerged as a priority for state highway safety agencies. Twenty-seven states, D.C., and Guam include distracted driving in their Strategic Highway Safety Plans (SHSPs). These plans reflect statewide highway safety priorities. The GHSA says this is significant because these plans are only updated every few years and to have more than half of states listing distraction as a priority reflects their commitment to this serious issue.
· States have improved data collection efforts. In 2003, only 17 states collected information about distraction as a factor in crashes. Today, 43 states and D.C. report they collect this crucial data. The GHSA says it is confident every state will include distraction in data collection efforts very shortly.
· States are educating new drivers about distractions. In 2003, AAA reported that only five states had distinct distracted driving sections in their driver license manuals. Today, 32 states and D.C. have these sections. Additionally, distracted driving is a component of driver education in 18 states and D.C., and it is a question on the driver license test in 17 states and D.C.
· States have been passing a variety of distracted driving laws. Twenty-eight states, D.C. and Guam now ban text messaging by all drivers. Since Washington became the first state to ban text messaging in 2007, many other states have been moving quickly in this area. Seven states, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban hand-held cell phone use behind the wheel for all drivers. School bus drivers are prohibited from talking by cell phone behind the wheel in 18 states and D.C.
· States are emphasizing public education. Thirty-seven states and D.C. have public information/education campaigns to warn about the dangers of driver distraction. Eight states noted they have initiated efforts to provide training or technical assistance to the judiciary on this topic.
· Public/private partnerships are increasing. Thirty-five states are working with other state agencies and private employers to address distracted driving. Sixteen states and D.C. have worked with other state agencies or private companies to develop distracted driving policies for their employees.
· States are using new technology to educate motorists. Fifteen states and D.C. are using social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote anti-distracted driving messages.
Experts applaud the speed with which states are addressing distracted driving, now one of the most serious problems on America's roadways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 6,000 fatalities and at least 500,000 injuries occur every year as a result of distracted driving.
"It's vital to send a clear message to all drivers that texting and cell calls are dangerous and can cause catastrophic car accidents," says Jim Adler, a Houston car accident lawyer. "The activity cited by this report is helping to send that message. But once received, to some extent, the public must police itself, curb those calls and 'hang up and drive.' "