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If you think the only danger for a driver using a cellphone is the distraction from the phone itself, think again. A recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drivers who use cellphones for phone calls while on the road are more likely to have other dangerous driving behaviors, such as speeding, not using a seat belt, driving while drowsy, and using the phone to send texts or emails.
The 2012 Traffic Safety Culture Index, a nationwide study that was released earlier this month, found that drivers who said they used their cellphones "fairly often" or "regularly" were more likely to engage in other dangerous driving practices in their cars than respondents who reported they never used a cellphone while driving.
Risks of driving with cellphones
| Dangerous behavior | Cellphone-using drivers | Noncellphone-using drivers |
| Speeding | 65% | 31% |
| Driving drowsy | 44% | 14% |
| Driving without a seat belt | 29% | 16% |
| Sending text or email | 53% | 3% |
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that there are more than 3,000 deaths and nearly 500,000 injuries annually due to car crashes involving distraction, but the agency notes that these numbers are likely lower than reality since it is challenging to determine what role distraction plays in many car accidents.
Do you text while driving? Are you less cautious when you're on your cellphone while driving?
Tara Baukus Mello writes the cars blog as well as the weekly Driving for Dollars column, providing both practical financial advice for consumers as well as insight into the latest developments in the automotive world. Follow her on Facebook here or on Twitter @SheDrives.
I do not understand where they get their data. It is likely invention obtained to further a special interest. Aircraft pilots, routinely travelling many times faster than automobiles are required to maintain radio contact with ATC when in controlled airspace (most everywhere). We don't have any problems. I suggest that a few minutes training an automotive communicator would suffice to keep cell-phone users safe.
Scott, it makes no difference, hands free or hand held, it's the conversation that distracts the individual. Ron, I agree it will have to be someone of "power" or "importance" that will have to be affected. I've contacted state legislators, only to be told, that they can't(in good faith) bring up legislation, because they are just as guilty.
I've noticed in last 5 yrs. people driving automobiles are veering over to wrong side of the road quite often. Why? 99% of the time they conversing on a cell-phone. Their attention and conversation is on that cell phone device.
I always use my own illustration. Imagine if your are relaxing at home, watching a movie you've been wanting to see, watching a sporting event, or, romantic time with your spouse. The phone rings, I'll guarantee you you will do one of the two things here. You will either say, "I'll call you back", or, you will allow the answering machine to answer. You know why? Because you cannot do both, that is concentrate on the entertainment, or someone else, and converse with someone on the phone. Yet we allow people to operate a potentially deadly vehicle.
It doesn't make sense does it
just stay off the dam phone already! it's as simple as that!!!
I'd really like to know if it makes any difference in those stats if a person is using a hands free device.
While our devices are capable of multi-tasking, we are not!
Several years ago I answered my phone: "Hello?"
"Hi Uncle Jimmy. I got my learner's permit!!!" (my then teen-aged niece Marlene)
"Way to go Marlene! What's all that noise in the background?"
"I'm driving my Dad's van. 80MPH in the left lane! "
I hung up.
The stats more than prove that using a device while driving is very dangerous. Nothing will be done until someone in power loses a loved one. Like most problems, money talks. The industry is very powerful, similar to the gun manufactures and advocates. It would be nice to see government do the right thing and forget the political consequence .
Talking and driving is a very bad idea. Many drives are talking while driving
in april 2012 i had a tramatic amputation of my right foot do to a 17 year old boy texting while driving. i think there should be much harsher punishments for these crimes.
I do not talk and drive, period. But I do notice many drivers talking on their cell phones and it usually looks like they are arguing and waving their other hand at the same time. Also, shame on the person on the other end letting their family or friend drive while upsetting them! They are totally distracted. I hardly ever see a person talking real calm with a smile on their face.