KANSAS CITY — A new study finds laws that ban texting while driving don't reduce wrecks and might actually increase risks.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's claim research arm released its findings Tuesday in Kansas City.
The insurance industry group compiled data from California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington immediately before and after driver texting was banned.
The study found that the number of crashes actually increased in three of those states after the bans were implemented.
The institute's spokesman, Russ Rader, says the increase might be the result of drivers trying to keep the phones out of view while texting.
Highway officials say that enforcement of the bans is just starting.
