Almost Every Auto Insurance Company Inclined to Back Texting Ban

The American Automobile Association has recently announced an effort that is likely to be applauded by almost every auto insurance company and a variety of government agencies.

The AAA has proclaimed this week to be Heads Up Driving Week with the motto "try it for a week, do it for life." While the stated goal of the week is to get more Americans to be aware of the danger of distracted driving and to give it up, there is also a second effort underway.

The organization is seeking to see that texting behind the wheel is outlawed in all fifty states by 2013, and has indicated that it will be lobbying in state capitols across America to make this happen. At least 18 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have already banned the practice.

According to the AAA Foundation, about 20 percent of U.S. drivers text behind the wheel at least once every 30 days, even though polls have found as much as 90 percent of the public supports banning the practice.

The issue is getting considerable attention at the federal level as well, especially in light of the two-day summit on distracted driving that the Transportation Department hosted last week. Along with government and consumer entities, almost every auto insurance company has an interest in seeing the problem eliminated nationwide.