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Sad Stat: More People Using Cell Phones while Driving

By Calvin Azuri, TMCnet Contributor

The recently concluded Harris Poll suggests that even after knowing the perils associated with using cell phones while at the wheel, a large majority of drivers still continue with this dangerous practice.

 

At least a quarter of the drivers who possess cell phones use them for texting and receiving messages while on the go. Most of them also prefer the convenience of a handheld over a hands-free device despite being aware of the fact that hands-free devices are relatively safer. Even the law has not been able to check the practice, with at least half of drivers in states where legislation has been enacted banning the use of cell phones, still continuing to use them.

 

The research further reveals that the respondents believed that the hands-free variety was safer even though studies have revealed in the past that use of cell phones is dangerous because it impairs the mind and not the hands. The research involved 2,681 U.S. adults and was conducted online between May 11 and 18.

 

The findings are in keeping with the opinions expressed by the National Safety Council. According to a 2003 research undertaken by the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis, at least 6 percent of accidents or roughly 636,000 ones, which resulted in 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths every year, where brought on by cell phone use during driving.

 

Annually, it is expected to cost the exchequer a whopping $43 billion. The National Safety Council believes that use of cell phones while driving should be treated at par of drunk driving; both are extremely unsafe.

 

The poll further indicated that 72 percent of offenders use them to talk while at the wheel. Of these, 66 percent preferred to use handhelds rather than hands-free. And 98 percent believe that cell phone use while driving is at least moderately dangerous. Interestingly research suggests that older drivers are less likely (42 percent) than younger ones to use cell phones while driving.

 

The research implicates that cell phone use while driving is a critical health care threat and more people continue to evade the law in this regards. There is also a wrong perception amongst drivers that hands-free use is actually safer than hand-held ones.

 

Overall, the results voice the requirement to launch an extensive campaign to curb cell phone use in drivers, both texting and placing calls.

 

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Calvin Azuri is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Calvin’s articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Michael Dinan