Nationwide advocates for hands-free legislation

Nationwide is continuing to call for hands-free legislation in all U.S. states. The insurer released a survey, as a part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, that indicates U.S. drivers want the same.

The majority, 86%, of drivers also support legislation in their states to prohibit holding a phone while driving to talk, text or for other purposes unless in emergencies, according to a survey of 1,000 U.S. car-owning adults, which was conducted online in March by Edelman Data & Intelligence for Nationwide.

Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker, said in a statement: “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. A 2018 analysis showed that states that enact this type of legislation experienced a 15% decrease in auto crash-related fatalities two years after the enactment of this type of law. Six states in that same analysis saw a decrease of more than 20% in fatality rates.”

Although about half of U.S. states have hands-free laws in place, nearly two-thirds of drivers believe there are already distracted driving laws in their state and nearly two-thirds of drivers use hands-free technology while driving, according to the survey.

Nationwide is partnering with insurtechs, Cambridge Mobile Telematics and NoCell in an effort to make technology available to drivers that could correct distracted behaviors.

Drivers are reportedly being more reckless, according to Nationwide’s SmartRide mobile app, which shows drivers are distracted by their phone up to nine times during a 20-mile commute. However, through the program, there was a 10% reduction in hand-held phone use after users received feedback on distracted driving behaviors.

“Nationwide’s new findings clearly demonstrate the public’s overwhelming concern about device use behind the wheel and their support for acting now,” said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), in a press release. “Lawmakers must address this public safety threat by enacting commonsense restrictions. Advocates stand with Nationwide to eliminate distracted driving.”