UTRC Press Release
Friday, January 31, 2014
Contact: Nadia Aslam
Assistant Director for Technology Transfer
University Transportation Research Center - Region 2
Tel: 212-650-8051
Email: nadia@utrc2.org
The University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) Publishes the Final Report: "Effects of New Jersey’s Cell Phone and Text Ban"
UTRC has released a final report for the research titled: "Effects of New Jersey's Cell Phone and Text Ban", funded by the Research Innovative Technology Administration/USDOT (RITA). The principal investigator was Dr. Ali Maher, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University and Director of the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).
Since March 1, 2008 there has been a ban on wireless telephone and electronic communication devices in New Jersey while operating a motor vehicle. But from general observation on any roadway, it appears that there are still drivers who are talking on their phones or texting while driving. From 2006 to 2009, NJ crashes, injuries, and deaths for handheld devices have averaged 1837, 769, and 6, respectively, while hands‐free averaged 1570 crashes, 659 injuries, and 3 deaths. The objectives of this research were to ascertain whether the legislation has had any effect on actual crash and citation data as well as driver attitude towardthe phone and text use while driving and the legislative ban.
The full report is available for a free download at the UTRC website: http://www.utrc2.org/publications/final-NJ-cell-phone-and-text-ban
About the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC)
The University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) is a USDOT Regional Transportation Center addressing surface transportation operations, management, design economics and planning. The Region 2 University Transportation Research Center is one of ten original National Centers, established in 1987, in recognition that transportation plays a key role in the nation’s economy and in the quality of people’s lives. Located at the City University of New York, the Center is a Consortium of 17 major Academic Institutions in New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. Through the Grant supporting the Center, the mission incorporates research, education and the transfer of technology in the field of transportation. Academically based, the work of Faculty and Students – graduate and undergraduate provide a critical link in resolving our national and regional transportation problems while training the future and current professionals who address our transportation system and their customers on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.utrc2.org.