Question

research a news article about a policy that impacts population health. Some topic ideas include policies relating to physical activity, drinking and driving, texting and driving, and nutrition. In your initial post, address the following: Using the example you found, discuss how the specific policy either positively or negatively impacts public health. Be sure to link to the specific article for your peers’ review.

Answer 1

The following news article discusses a law passed in California to reduce distracted driving. This law bars drivers from even holding mobile devices:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/us/cell-phone-while-driving-laws.html

The law builds on a past legislation that only prevented drivers from talking and texting on the phone. The previous law did not prohibit drivers from using their phones for other purposes such as using social media or streaming videos. A study of four jurisdictions by Highway Loss Data Institute (2009), an insurance industry group, has shown that
banning the use of hand-held devices while driving did not reduced accident rates. The study also revealed that there was no change in the accident patterns when these states were compared with those in nearby states without the phone bans.

References:
Highway Loss Data Institute. 2009. Hand-held cellphone laws and collision claim frequencies. Loss bulletin Vol. 26, No.17. Arlington, VA.