Update: Insurers React to NTSB’s Proposed Cell Phone Ban

The American Insurance Association and Nationwide applaud the federal recommendation that all states ban cell phone use while driving; State Farm releases data that supports the need for a ban.

Insurance Networking News, December 14, 2011

Carrie Burns

The insurance industry showed strong support for The National Transportation Safety Board after it announced yesterday that it recommends all 50 states and the District of Columbia pass legislation banning the non-emergency use of portable electronic devices by motorists while driving.

American Insurance Association (AIA) President and CEO, Leigh Ann Pusey, issued a statement, saying the association supports the recommendation. “When you consider that driving is the most dangerous daily activity for the typical American, few issues are more important than our actions behind the wheel,” she said. "While we have made great strides in highway safety, more must be done. This crisis is the newest challenge to the safety of everyone sharing our roads and highways. The insurance industry has a long-standing commitment to auto and driver safety and AIA looks forward to supporting this initiative."

Nationwide supports the enactment and enforcement of state laws banning texting and the use of hand held cellular phones while driving, but says more research needs to be done regarding the use of hands free devices while driving. It also says it supports a combination of solutions including creating public awareness, legislation, highway improvements and encouraging the development of technology that will mitigate the problem.

Another insurer, State Farm, released new research revealing drivers are accessing other mobile web services at much higher rates, but texting about the same or even less than in years past. "Calls from the NTSB and others to ban cell phones are focusing now on both texting and Web use while driving,” said David Beigie, State Farm Public Affairs VP. “The mobile web is a growing issue for safety advocates concerned about distractions while driving. Additionally, while the focus has been on young people, the data also indicates that motorists of all ages are increasing their use of the mobile web while driving."

In its survey of nearly 900 motorists, State Farm found:

For drivers 18-29. Accessing the Internet while on a cell phone while driving increased from 29 percent in 2009 to 43 percent in 2011. Reading social media networks while driving increased from 21 percent in 2009 to 37 percent in 2011. And, updating social networks while driving increased from 20 percent in 2009 to 33 percent in 2011.

For all drivers. Accessing the Internet while on a cell phone increased from 13 percent in 2009 to 18 percent in 2011. Reading social media networks while driving increased from 9 percent in 2009 to 14 percent in 2011. And, updating social networks while driving increased from 9 percent in 2009 to 13 percent in 2011.

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