In-vehicle texting drops following ban, according to new study

LOS ANGELES — California’s 2009 ban on in-vehicle text messaging appears to have influenced driver behavior, according to a series of on-the-street surveys by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Results indicate that in-vehicle text messaging has declined significantly in the seven months after the law went into effect on January 1.

The decline indicates that a state text messaging ban can potentially change driving behavior of motorists, reduce distracted driving and improve safety, according to the Auto Club.

The study is the first to examine the effects of California’s texting law a...