Most Americans support 'hands-free' laws to curb distracted driving

While a consensus among Americans on anything is scarce nowadays, U.S. motorists have come together with 86% supporting legislation that would prohibit drivers from holding a cellphone while driving unless they are in an emergency.

That’s according to a survey from Nationwide, which also found that 88% of U.S. drivers support legislation that addresses distracted driving. As it stands, 24 states have these types of laws in place and 21 have pending legislation.

Although fewer than half of states have such laws, a majority of drivers (64%) believe distracted-driving laws already exist in their state, according to Nationwide.

In a statement, Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker said: “While it isn’t practical to remove every distraction from motor vehicles, making it a primary offense for the use of handheld devices will reduce crashes and save lives. We know hands-free primary enforcement legislation works.”

States that have instituted hands-free driving laws saw a 15% decrease in auto crash-related fatalities two years after the legislation was enacted, according to a 2018 study by the Ohio Distracted Driving Task Force. The same study found that six states saw a decrease of more than 20% in the fatality rate after passing hands-free driving laws.

Do as I say, not as I do

While 66% of drivers say holding a phone while driving is dangerous, slightly more than half also report using their phone while driving during the past six months, Nationwide found. Around two-thirds said they use hands-free technology while driving.

During a 20-minute commute, a driver is distracted nine times, on average, by their phone.

“Distracted driving is a major contributor to the alarmingly high death toll on our roadways. In 2020, it was a factor in 3,142 crash fatalities — and most likely more,” Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, said in a release. “Nationwide’s new findings clearly demonstrate the public’s overwhelming concern about device use behind the wheel and their support for acting now. Lawmakers must address this public safety threat by enacting commonsense restrictions.”

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