A study by an auto insurer has found that most American motorists would favor additional bans on driving while using personal electronic devices.
The poll by Meriden, Conn.-based Response Insurance found 65 percent of drivers who own a BlackBerry device would support a ban on their use while driving, and more than 58 percent of non-BlackBerry owners would support such a ban.
Similarly, most drivers favor banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, with 59 percent of cell phone owners and 62 percent of the overall driving population supporting a ban.
Support for a cell phone ban, the poll found, drops significantly, however, if the ban would involve so-called "hands-free" cell phones. Only 19 percent of those who own a hands-free phone would support a ban, and 28 percent of the overall driving population.
The study, "The Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey," also showed significant support for other bans, including a prohibition on text messaging with 72 percent supporting a ban, reading with 79 percent supporting a ban and grooming, which 68 percent supported banning.
"Our survey results appear to reflect a growing concern that multitasking behind the wheel is getting out of hand," said Mory Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of the Response Insurance Group. "But, the fastest way drivers can put those concerns into action is by not engaging in activities that present distractions."
Some proposals included in the survey did not garner wide support, however. Only a minority of drivers, 36 percent, favored a ban on eating while driving, 34 percent supported a ban on smoking and 28 percent supported banning listening to an iPod or MP3 player while behind the wheel.
According to Response Insurance, the survey involved 1,000 respondents and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percent.
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