NU Online News Service, July 8, 12:13 p.m.EDT

An overview of available distracted-driving research concludesthere is no evidence to indicate whether cell phone or texting banshave reduced automobile crashes.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), whichrepresents the highway safety offices of states, territories, theDistrict of Columbia and Puerto Rico, says it looked at 350 paperson distracted driving published from 2000 to 2011 and found thatexisting research is "incomplete or contradictory," says BarbaraHarsha, executive director of GHSA.

"Despite all that has been written about driver distraction,there is still a lot that we do not know," she adds in a statement."Clearly, more studies need to be done addressing both the scope ofthe problem and how to effectively address it."

Thereport—produced with a grant from State Farm—says limitedresearch suggests cell phone use does increase crash risk, but noone knows by how much. Additionally, there is no conclusiveevidence about whether hands-free cell phone use is any safer thanhand-held use.

State Farm could not immediately be reached for comment.

Texting "probably"increases risk, but no evidence exists to prove if cell phone useor texting bans reduce accidents.

Therefore, among a handful of recommendations, GHSA advisesstates that do not have handheld bans to wait until more researchis done before passing laws. In the meantime, the association urgesstates with bans to enforce them.

"While distracted driving is an emotional issue that raises theire of many on the road, states must take a research-based approachto addressing the problem," Harsha says. "Until more research isconducted, states need to proceed thoughtfully, methodically andobjectively."

The GHSA also recommends other measures, such as edge-line andcenter-line rumble strips to alert drivers when they swerve. Theassociation asks that distracted driving be recorded in crashreports to assist in the evaluation of laws.

Based on the research it looked at, the GHSA says states shouldconsider passing cell phone bans for novice drivers and textingbans for everyone. As of June, 30 states and Washington, D.C.prohibited cell phone use for novice drivers and 40 states and D.C.banned texting for novices, while 34 states and D.C. have enactedtexting bans for all drivers.

David Snyder, vice president and associate general counsel forthe American Insurance Association (AIA), characterized the reportsas "somewhat internally inconsistent and confusing."

He says, "The history of auto safety proves laws are needed topromote public information and education, which leads to effectivehighway safety." The effects of such laws may not beimmediate, Snyder adds, and the reason data is not available isbecause the current laws have not been enacted for long.