Mississippi drivers are the most likely to be distracted by phones while driving, according to AAA

It’s illegal to text while driving in Mississippi, but the state’s current law does not address other uses for a phone, like watching videos, voice calls, or online shopping. Research by the Center for Mississippi Health Policy found that 1 in 12 vehicle deaths are related to distracted driving. 

During a hearing of the Senate Insurance Committee this week, AAA spokesperson John Redman asked lawmakers to consider a “Hands Free” law. 

“These are 100% avoidable crashes, and so we just say, ‘Hey, there’s no phone. You can’t hold your phone at all,’” said Redman. “It ends any kind of question, especially for law enforcement, because we find enforcement of laws make change in behavior.” 

Researchers at Cambridge Mobile Telematics estimate that if Mississippi reduced distracted driving to the national rate, there would be 3,200 fewer crashes each year. There'd be nearly 2,000 fewer injuries and 15 fewer fatalities. 

Redman says a new law could not only save lives but save states millions of dollars each year from the economic losses that come with crashes. 

Republican State Senator Walter Michel of Ridgeland says the legislature nearly passed a similar bill last year, but it was held up during the busy final days of the session. 

“I think it’s becoming more and more of a problem,” said Michel. “I think we’ve all been driving down the interstate and seen a car slowly weaving into our lane. That happens to me all the time. And sure enough, when you get beside that vehicle, it’s because they’re staring at their phone. People are either looking at text messages, or they’re literally watching a video or they’re Face Timing. So that is an issue that we want to look at.”