An analysis of states with laws prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones by motorists shows a 22-percent decline in overall traffic deaths, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
In addition to the drop in overall traffic deaths, researchers of the study also found that fatalities of motorists who used hand-held cell phones decreased by 47 percent. The study was performed by the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTrec) at the University of California at Berkley and reviewed traffic crash records two years before and two years after state laws went into effect.
“These results suggest that the law banning hand-held cell phone use while driving had a positive impact on reducing traffic fatalities and injuries,” said Dr. David Ragland, director of SafeTREC.
One reason for fewer crashes may be due to increased law enforcement. The California Department of Motor Vehicles said there were 460,487 hand-held cell phone convictions in 2011, a 22-percent increase from 2010 and a 52-percent jump from 2009. The cost of a ticket in California for a first offense is at least $159 and $279 for subsequent offenses.
Cell phone usage while driving is top of the mind with California drivers, which they see as carrying a significant traffic safety threat. The same OTS statewide opinion survey reported that 62 percent of respondents stated that texting and talking are the biggest safety concerns on California roadways. Eighty-four percent claimed cell phone conversations or texting while driving constitute the most serious distractions while driving.
Meanwhile, another OTS opinion poll commissioned with federal funds and performed last summer showed that four in 10 California drivers said they talked less with either hand-held or hands-free phones since the state’s ban was enacted in 2008. The report contradicts a study performed by the Highway Loss Data Institute in January 2010 that there had been no significant changes in crashes.
One month later, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety published results from a telephone survey that found that 44 percent of drivers in states with bans reported they don’t use either hand-held or hands-free cell phones while driving. In comparison, IIHS found that 30 percent said they continue to operate both types of phones while behind the wheel in states that do not have bans.
