Property Casualty Insurers Association Issues Statement on Hands-Free Georgia Act

DES PLAINES, Illinois, June 28 -- The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issued the following statement by Logan McFaddin, regional manager of the state government relations, in support of the Georgia Hands-Free Act:

"As we approach one of the deadliest holidays of the summer, we hope this new law will protect motorists, passengers, and pedestrians on Georgia roads. We commend Rep. John Carson, Gov. Nathan Deal, and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle for championing this important auto safety legislation.

"Vehicle crashes and fatalities are rising sharply in Georgia. Distracted driving is a leading cause of auto crashes, not just in Georgia, but nationwide. Statistics show that simple changes in driver behavior can make a big difference in improving road safety, saving lives, and controlling insurance costs for consumers. Strong auto safety laws and enforcement are important steps in combatting a growing distracted driving epidemic that is endangering everyone on the road.

"We encourage other states to pass similar laws as distracted driving continues to be a major problem across the country. Now is the time to protect the ones we love by passing life-saving legislation."

PCI promotes and protects the viability of a competitive private insurance market for the benefit of consumers and insurers. PCI is composed of nearly 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write $220 billion in annual premium, 37 percent of the nation's property casualty insurance. Member companies write 44 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 30 percent of the homeowners market, 35 percent of the commercial property and liability market and 37 percent of the private workers compensation market.