.jpg)
Brittany. Brittany. Brittany. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
Get off the phone and drive!
Most drivers who own cell phones use them while driving -- without a hands-free device -- even though most of them believe it is dangerous to do so.
Call it connectile dysfunction.
The driving under the influence of cell phone use (DUICPU) finding from a Harris Poll comes after a Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimated that cell phone use while driving contributed to six percent of crashes -- 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year -- to the tune of about $43 billion.
The recent Harris Poll also found:
• A quarter of drivers with cell phones send or receive text messages while driving.
• Most drivers, 66 percent, with cell phones use hand-held rather than hands-free phones although they believe that hands-free phones are safer.
• Even in states where it is illegal for drivers to use hand-held phones, half of cell phone users talk hand-held.
• Some 72 percent of those who drive and own cell phones say they use them to talk while they are driving.
Most consumers know such habits are dangerous, the poll found.
Only 2 percent of those who use cell phones while driving believe this is not dangerous at all. Most, 26 percent, believe it is very dangerous, 24 percent believe it is dangerous and 33 percent believe using cell phones while driving is somewhat
dangerous.
The findings support the views of the National Safety Council that most drivers act stupid when it comes to cell phoning while driving. They ignore the evidence about the risks of using cell phones and the advice of safety experts.
"Studies show that driving while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at four times greater risk of a crash," said Janet Roetsher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.
The findings conclude:
• Cell phone use by drivers is very widespread and is, therefore, a major health care risk.
• Large numbers of people do not obey state laws that forbid the use of hand-held phones.
• This Harris Poll also shows that "most drivers who use cell phones believe that using hands-free phones is safer than using hand-held phones, contrary to the evidence of available research that suggests that it is the minds, not the hands, of drivers that are adversely affected by talking on the phone."
Not sure what that means, but that's what they said.
Perkins is the National
• Consumer News Examiner
• Offbeat News Examiner
• Real Estate News Examiner
Don't miss a story here. Hit the "Subscribe to Email" button near my mug shot on this page and get emailed each time a new story breaks.
Use the "More About" keywords below to search for related news.
Comments
They don't in NYC or in New Jersey.
The fines need to be bigger, and people need to be pulled over. This should be an points violation and an ENORMOUS fine.
It's very dangerous, and I am sick of it.
When we were young, our parents specified - both hands ont he wheel.
Now people don't even have their eyes on the road or one hand on the wheel.
Make the punishment frequent and large enough, and people will chnage their behavior - it works in New York and New Jersey.
Also, no one in Europe behaves like this. Americans continue to be selfish and not interested in modifiying their behavior if it's an inconvenience to them personally, for hte good of society.
It's just despicable.
A car is a weapon - get off the cell phone and stop tailgatiing and use your damn turn signals, folks!
Thank YOU!
Our lawmakers in Tennessee just passed a 'No TWD' bill. You know what TWD is...'Texting While Driving'...while I supported the bill, they didn't go far enough. Fines for TWD are just $50 bucks. They should have started at $500 for 1st offense and lose your license for six months with your 2nd offense.
I would also like to see a loss your driver's license for at fault accidents if it can be proven it occurred while texting on your device.
Do I talk on phone while driving? Yes, I do. Why? Well, being in sales, it is my lifeline to next appointment, meeting, etc.
Do I try to be extra careful? Yes..am I distracted? Yes...
Should I hangup and drive? Yes!
For SF, I would say that Europeans DO behave like that. Your statement is a glittering generality not based in any fact.
Great article Broderick.
This is one of my biggest pet peeves, especially the people who hold up traffic doing it. I was so glad to see this law, but it figures that people can't stay off the phone anyway.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!