States weigh tougher penalties for texting while driving

June 27, 2012

USA Today (6/26) reported, “Growing concern over the continued use of cellphones by drivers has some states reviewing laws against the practice and exploring stiffer fines and harsher penalties.” Recent research “by the Highway Loss Data Institute, an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, found that current texting bans are not reducing the risk or amount of crashes.” However, “some question whether tougher punishment is the answer.” According to “Gary Biller, president of the National Motorists Association, a drivers’ rights group…steeper fines won’t change drivers’ behavior.”