Texting Debate Gains Attention from Drivers, Auto Insurance Industry

The issue of texting while driving is continuing to gain attention at both the state and federal level, as well as from drivers and the auto insurance industry.

The newest effort to rein in the dangerous practice comes from Wisconsin, where state lawmaker Sandy Pasch is offering a bill that would ban younger drivers from using cell phones or texting behind the wheel.

A number of states have proposed or passed their own similar laws affecting both young and adult drivers.

While states will continue to weigh their own policies on the issue for the foreseeable future, a New York Times report this week noted that lobbyists for the wireless communications industry are more in favor of a single nationwide policy on texting and talking on cell phones while driving.

The newspaper also says that the lobbying group, CTIA - The Wireless Association, is officially neutral on limiting cell phone use behind the wheel and does favor a ban on texting while driving.

When and if a consensus is finally reached on the issue, one effect is likely to be lower auto insurance because of a decline in accidents caused by such actions.

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