Nationwide CEO, Kirt Walker, has announced that his company is going to be advocating for state lawmakers countrywide to enact hands-free legislation, which would require drivers to only use mobile phone technology that is handsfree while they are operating a motor vehicle. The intent behind the announcement is to prevent crashes caused by drivers that are driving while they are distracted by their mobile devices.

Reports from the National Safety Council show that 1 in 4 crashes involve mobile phone usage while driving. In 2019, approximately 37,000 motor vehicle fatalities occurred. If Nationwide was successful in its indeavours, 13,000 of those deaths per year could be prevented with more stringent hands-free laws.

The endorsement would enable law enforcement to ticket drivers who were holding a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle, including text messaging, viewing videos and images, entering data, and texting or broadcasting content.