Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board called for a prohibition at the national level on the use of the cell phones and other "portable electronic devices" while he was driving.
"It is time for us to stand for security by turning off electronics when you drive all", President of the Council, Deborah A.P. Hersman, said in a statement.
It is uncertain whether the Council appeal will be heard, in view of the dependence of the public instant electronic communication, anytime and anywhere. But the proposal generated discussion. A provocative idea was issued by a man from Boulder, Colo. In a letter published in the Wall Street Journal, he suggested that insurance companies could restrict the distracted driving if they refuse to carry out accidents caused by a message. (Many States specifically prohibiting texts while driving, but varies under the Act).
Which sounded like an intriguing proposal for us here at the Bucks - which could be applied to all kinds of bad behavior at the wheel, including drunk driving.
The idea, however, seems to be a natural. Insurance companies and even a consumer advocate, make the point that coverage for injuries to yourself or others as a result of an accident - even one caused by a negligent act or just stupid - is one of the main reasons to buy insurance in the first place.
"An accident is an accident," said Mark Romano, an insurance specialist with the Federation of consumers in America. "And if you are bold enough to do things that you should not be able to, then your insurance is there to cover."
Dick Luedke, a State Farm spokesman, said in an e-mail that the insurer generally pays for accidents, even if the driver is drunk. "In a way, we met our promise, even when the person to whom the promise we contravene the Act, and we met our pledge to the person that texts while he was driving, if this person is breaking the law. »
"This is the point of insurance," Mr. Luedke, said telephone follow-up. He also noted that while the spotlight is currently on the use of the texts and cell phones, there are all sorts of other ways, drivers can become distracted, to discipline children in the back seat, eat meals or even fiddle with radio: "where to draw the line?" ".
There is also the problem of innocent parties who are injured. Say that you are to texts and not be attention, and you hit a pedestrian, who suffers large medical expenses. In General, your insurance would pay for the care of the victim, given that you caused the accident. It would be fair to say to the victim, "sorry, what is not covered? The driver has texts, so we do not cover you? "said Loretta Worters, vice President of the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group, in an e-mail. "We have an obligation to pay this claim, to protect this viewer, even if you were stupid. »
Of course, if the drivers several times in case of accident, if drinking and driving or texts or another reason, the insurer is likely to jack up premiums, or cancel their coverage.
Ms. Worters noted that the industry is taking steps to inform the public about the dangers of the texts while driving.
What do you think? Is there an argument for not covering the accidents caused by the texts or other bad behavior behind the wheel?
It is a more complete version of history than that which emerged.
PHOTO: Following an accident caused by texts while driving. (PHOTO TAKEN BY ROBERT COHEN/ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH BY ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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