Cell Phones Contribute to Automobile Accidents

According to current statistics, one person is estimated to die in a vehicle crash every 12 seconds in the United States. Statistics also show that automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans age 35 and under, and 98% of reported accidents involve a single, distracted driver. In most cases, that distraction is his/her cell phone.

Other distractions include rubbernecking (watching other drivers and accidents), driver fatigue, looking at scenery, child-related distractions, and adjusting the radio. In fact, a new study reports that the reaction time of cell phone users is slowed dramatically, greatly increasing the risk of accidents and traffic problems in general.

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association reports that fifteen years ago approximately 4 million people had wireless communication devices, such as cell phones; however, in May 2007, that number was a staggering 236 million.

With increased dependence on mobile phones, the number of people using them while driving has, of course, substantially increased. There are predominately two dangers associated with cell phones and driving: drivers must take their eyes off the road to dial, and people become so absorbed in their conversations that they cannot concentrate on their driving. David Strayer, University of Utah psychology professor, performed a study on cell phone use and auto accidents and reported, “If you put a 20 year old driver behind the wheel with a cell phone their reaction time is the same as a 70 year old not using a cell phone.”

Each year cell phone distraction while driving results in over 3,000 deaths and approximately 350,000 injuries in our country. Because information on cell phone use is somewhat limited, the actual number of deaths and injuries is probably higher. Many states have implemented a hands-free cell phone while driving law; however, even hands-free cell phone use distracts drivers because they’re so involved in their conversation.

Studies have reported that drivers talking on cell phones are less adept than drunk drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08. The cell phone users’ impaired reactions involve seconds, not just fractions of seconds, so stopping distance increases by car lengths, not just feet.

It has been reported that motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times as likely to get into collisions serious enough to injure themselves or others. In 2001, New York passed the first law banning hand-held cell phone use while driving which prompted a national debate on the extent of the danger cell phone use while driving poses.

In May 2007, the state of Washington became the first state to ban the practice of texting while driving. The fine for DWT (Driving While Texting) is $101 in Washington, but it is a secondary offense, which means you have to be pulled over for something else to get that ticket.

While cell phones do play an integral part in our society, the convenience they offer us may be coming at a very high price.