Nine states have enacted laws this year aimed at combating distracted driving, while three other states currently have legislation pending.
Over the past two years, traffic fatalities increased 14 percent, according to Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). Many of these fatalities were caused by distracted drivers.
“Even though most states have put in place laws that restrict texting while driving, more action is needed to address distracted driving and the sharp spike in crashes and traffic fatalities that have occurred over the past few years,” Robert Passmore, PCI assistant vice president for personal lines policy, said. “While there is no single answer to addressing the problem of distracted driving, the new laws passed in 2017 are important because finding the solution to this epidemic involves enacting stronger laws, increasing enforcement, raising public awareness and creating a culture of personal responsibility. This is the roadmap to safer roads and fewer distracted driving accidents, injuries, and deaths.”
Several of the new laws increase fines, expand the definition of distracted driving and change texting ban laws from secondary to primary enforcement. This means law enforcement can pull over a driver for texting instead of waiting for another driving offense.
A current bill awaiting decision in Texas will make it the 43rd state to have primary enforcement of texting bans. Arizona, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota are the only states that will either have no texting law or only secondary enforcement.