Support for a ban on hand held devices continues to grow, self-reported use declines

Motorists continue to recognize the dangers of distracted driving, but many continue to engage in those dangerous activities. In AAA’s 2014 Report to the Legislature, a survey of 1,000 motorists found that for a second year a majority support the hand-held ban (52%), even more encouraging there has been a decline of 19% since 2007 in self-reported use of the devices while driving.

Overall, 73 percent of motorists said they did not text while driving, up from 67% in 2011. More notable, young drivers, those from 18 to 29, had a 20% drop in those that admitted texting or emailing while driving.

“These results are encouraging” said Rich Bradley, Public Affairs Specialist for AAA South Jersey. “Drivers are realizing the dangers of distracted driving and are changing their behaviors.” Despite more motorists reporting that they don’t use handheld devices while driving, there is still a perception that other drivers are less able to manage texting while driving than the respondents.

Thirty-one percent of drivers believe they are not distracted while talking on their cell phone and driving, but 82% believe that others are distracted while doing the same thing. An overwhelming majority believes that texting while driving is distracting, with only 3% reporting they are not distracted when texting while driving, and 95% of motorists believe that others are distracted. The good news on both counts – 46% of respondents said they did not use a cell phone while driving

While texting or emailing while driving topped the list when it came to rating distractions, other technology was perceived as less distracting.

With new technology entering our vehicles every day, it’s important that drivers understand the impact of cognitive distractions. Recent studies have shown that talking on a cell phone while driving reduces the brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. Technologies in the car, such as infotainment systems, pose new dangers as they establish new ways to take the driver’s focus away from the roads.

As support for the hand-held ban continues to grow, it’s time that New Jersey look at all-encompassing distracted driving legislation. It’s clear from this survey that some of the behaviors motorists feel are most dangerous have nothing to do with cell phones, yet those behaviors are not regulated behind the wheel.

“A distraction ban would allow law enforcement to have the tools they need to stop dangerous drivers,” Bradley said. “An all-encompassing ban would also address new and emerging technologies that prove dangerous, rather than needing technology-specific legislation.”

The AAA Clubs of New Jersey—AAA North Jersey, AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, AAA Mid-Atlantic and AAA South Jersey—provide automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than two million members through 25 offices across the state. The AAA Clubs of New Jersey are affiliated with AAA, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying federation of automobile clubs, which serves as an advocate for motorists and travelers.