Indiana's ban on teenage drivers using cellphones shows significant results
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A study by the Indiana Public Policy Institute attempted to gauge the success of their new laws. They found that the number of accidents involving teenagers with passengers has remained constant, as has the number of late-night accidents. But the ban on cellphone use did have an effect.
The percentage of all wrecks involving teenage drivers on cellphones dropped from 0.71% to 0.56%, which represents a 21% reduction in teenage cellphone-related accidents. We should also consider that officers were probably more likely to report the involvement of a cellphone now that it's illegal. So the percentage before the new law might be even higher.
While we agree with the motives of the state of Indiana, we're not sure about their measurements of success. For example, they're claiming a victory against cellphone-related accidents, but teenage accidents might have remained constant overall. It doesn't matter that John Doe Teenager wasn't talking on the phone when he ran over a mailbox.
source: Indiana University via Gizmodo
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5 Comments
1. luis_lopez_351 posted on 17 Mar 2011, 01:26 0 0
"In July of 2009, recently licensed drivers were banned from late-night driving, and driving with passengers. Also, drivers under the age of 18 were prohibited from using their cellphones on the road." That's nothing. In California, A new Law passed which allows police/cops to dig through your phone. -__-" x) its a simple joke kinda true statement, don't hate.
2. Matt (unregistered) posted on 17 Mar 2011, 03:09 1 1
They should ban eating food and putting makeup while driving too
4. phoneguy2343 (unregistered) posted on 17 Mar 2011, 08:36 0 0
Yes, they should also ban life. Then there will not be any accidents.
5. bluechrism (unregistered) posted on 17 Mar 2011, 08:45 0 0
Not sure why using a cell phone isn't banned for everyone nationwide except when using some sort of a hands free device. Teens do use cell phones when they drive, but so do adults in all kinds of walks of life, and many of them are crazy drivers too. I partly think businessmen and women in management positions are as bad, when it comes to talking ont he phone whilst driving, though they are more likely to have a bluetooth headset or something, but many don't. Adults are also more likely to drink drive (pubs popular, public transport and taxi services not at all in many cities) and it seems to be a more accepted part of US culture that people drive home from the pub than it was in the UK. Drink driving and being on the phone at the same time is very bad.
I don't think teens should be sinmgled out for this.
