This is why researching “what everybody knows” is so important.

A new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute calls to question whether banning cell phone calls and and text messages do, in fact, result in fewer car crashes.

The study used insurance crash claims prior to and after bans were passed in three states and the District of Columbia. The study also compared data from states near those with bans.

The researchers found no differences among them, suggesting these bans do not accomplish what “everybody knows” is the goal—to prevent accidents.

When a study comes out which directly contradicts what “everybody knows” (and we thought we knew, too), it is time to examine why what seems so obvious is not proved by analysis.

There are many other studies which measure the distractions caused by multi-tasking—the use of more than one device at a time in the workplace, at home or while driving. Those  showed that there were tiny, but important, delays in the brain’s processing information. Seconds count at times. Driving is one of them.

However, whose data could be better than insurance crash claims? Those are claims for the kinds of wrecks legislators are trying to prevent with the bans. Not fender-benders. Major crashes. Crashes which can lead to fatalities.

These are puzzling results but that does not make them wrong.

Stay tuned.

The Washington Post

“A new insurance industry study has found that state laws banning the use of handheld devices to make calls or send text messages while driving have not resulted in fewer vehicle crashes.

“The study, released Friday by the Highway Loss Data Institute, examined insurance claims from crashes before and after such bans took effect in California, New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C.

“The organization found that claims rates did not go down after the laws were enacted. It also found no change in patterns compared with nearby states without such bans.”

Source: Washington Post, January 29, 2010

Source: Highway Loss Data Institute, January 29, 2010