Twenty-seven states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, are actively trying to reduce accidents caused by distractions like cell phones and texting through their strategic highway safety plans, a new report says.
The Governors Highway Safety Association — a large network of state highway officials — asked all 50 states, plus D.C., Guam, and other U.S. holdings, to explain the methods each uses to try to prevent distracted driving. And while the group found that most states are tackling the issue head-on–42 states are considering bills this year–some states are ahead of the curve.
Hands-free cell phone laws have been enacted in seven states–California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington–along with Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, though there is debate about whether hands-free laws make it safer to talk behind the wheel.
A majority of states said they have programs directed toward educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving, while eight help educate judiciary systems about the issue: California, Idaho, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
Educating teen drivers on distracted driving is a big focus, with 23 states producing special materials for them, while D.C. and 17 other states put questions about distraction on driving tests.
Between 2003 and 2010, the number of states collecting data on distraction as a factor in car crashes has increased from 17 to 43.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates, in 2008 5,870 people were killed and 515,000 were injured in crashes that had distracted driving mentioned on the police report. Those accidents account for 16 percent of overall fatalities and 21 percent of injuries from crashes during that year.
This report is the first national review of distracted driving, the Governors Highway Safety Association said.
