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INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org
Washington Press Office: (202) 833-1580

NEW YORK, September 30, 2009 — Reporters covering the U.S. Department of Transportation’s , and interested in exploring the insurance repercussions of driving while distracted by texting or cellphone use, can consult the ̽����ѡ Information Institute’s (I.I.I.) online resources.

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The two-day summit, which began today at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., is convening policymakers from around the country to discuss the extent and impact of the problem, current research, regulations and best practices.��

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“The safe operation of a car requires the full attention of the driver. The danger is that people can become so absorbed in their conversations or activities that their ability to concentrate on driving is severely impaired, jeopardizing their safety as well as vehicle occupants and pedestrians,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president, Public Affairs, and national consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I.

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Six states–California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah and Washington, plus the District of Columbia—ban the use of hand-held cellphones while driving.

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The dangerous practice of texting while driving is banned in 15 states: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland (effective October 1, 2009), Minnesota, New Jersey, New York (effective November 1, 2009), North Carolina, Utah, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, plus the District of Columbia.

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For a detailed background paper on the subject, go to Issues Updates: Cellphones and Driving.

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The I.I.I.’s president, Dr. Robert Hartwig, delivered remarks filled with facts and statistics about U.S. highway safety at the ̽����ѡ Institute for Highway Safety’s 50^th anniversary celebration on September 9, 2009, citing distracted driving as one of the greatest challenges to highway and motor vehicle safety today. Dr. Hartwig has also observed that the problem of distraction is not confined to cars but is part of a greater problem associated with “distracted equipment operation” which is leading to an epidemic of occupational injuries and workers compensation claims.

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