New federal safety data shows texting while driving increased 50 percent last year, despite a rush by states to ban the practice.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does an annual survey that watches drivers’ behavior at selected intersections. The latest study caught less than 1 percent texting or manipulating hand-held devices. But it shows that activity increased to 0.9 percent last year, up from 0.6 percent the year before.
The share of drivers speaking in headsets also increased, although hand-held cellphone use remained flat.
The increase in texting while driving came despite bans on the practice in many states. Last month, Pennsylvania became the 35th state to impose a ban.
Topics Trends Personal Auto
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
AIG Underwriting Income Up 48% in Q4 on North America Commercial 
AIG’s Zaffino: Outcomes From AI Use Went From ‘Aspirational’ to ‘Beyond Expectations’ 
How One Fla. Insurance Agent Allegedly Used Another’s License to Swipe Commissions 
Florida Insurance Costs 14.5% Lower Than Without Reforms, Report Finds 
