Study: Laws Banning Texting While Driving Don't Reduce Crashes

NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A new survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveals that laws banning hand-held cell phone use while driving don't do any good.

Researchers looked at states with long-term laws against texting behind the wheel, and found the number of crashes never declined. A spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic said it's the conversation, not the phone that causes crashes. They say the only solution is a total ban on using phones while driving, even hands-free devices.

"We don't want people to have this misperception that just because they have a blue tooth, then they're risk-free because that's not the case," said Ragina Avarella with AAA.

Maryland has banned all cell phones and hands-free devices if you're driving.

An Oklahoma law banning all beginner drivers from using a hand-held phone takes effect in November.