BOSTON, MA (February 5, 2010) – The American Insurance Association (AIA) today applauded the Massachusetts House of Representatives for its passage of legislation that would ban texting while driving and prohibit all drivers from using cell phones without hands-free devices in the Commonwealth.

“Distracted driving has become a major epidemic in this country and AIA commends the House for taking this crucial step forward in highway safety,” said John Murphy, AIA Northeast Region vice president. “AIA supports legislative efforts at the state and federal levels to ban texting while driving and other sensible cell phone restrictions. We believe the measures outlined in this legislation, if embraced by the driving public, will reduce crashes, injuries, fatalities, and unnecessary economic costs for Massachusetts residents.”

The bill would prohibit texting and the use of handheld cell phones by all drivers. In addition, the bill would require elderly drivers to take vision tests to retain their licenses every five years after the age of 75. The legislation would levy fines and penalties for violations of these prohibitions. Firefighters, ambulance drivers and other public safety officials are exempt from the law's provisions while they are operating vehicles in the execution of their official responsibilities.

Currently, texting while driving is banned for all drivers in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Teens and other new drivers are prohibited from texting while driving in 9 states (Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, and West Virginia).

“AIA hopes the Senate will take swift action on this important piece of legislation and that Governor Patrick will sign it. Doing so would align Massachusetts with a growing number of states that are wisely enacting texting bans and cell phone restrictions to help keep our roads safe,” concluded Murphy.

AIA member companies write 20 percent of the automobile insurance market in Massachusetts.

The American Insurance Association represents approximately 350 major insurance companies that provide all lines of property and casualty insurance and write more than $123 billion annually in premiums. The association is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has representatives in every state. All AIA press releases are available at www.aiadc.org.