[StBernard] Update: Insurers React to NTSB's Proposed Cellphone Ban

[Westley Annis]

Update: Insurers React to NTSB's Proposed Cellphone Ban

The American Insurance Association and Nationwide applaud the federal
recommendation that all states ban cellphone 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.