If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an auto accident in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, please visit the website of experienced auto accident attorney Barry G. Doyle, P.C., serving clients in Chicago, Aurora, Rockford and surrounding areas of Illinois.
According to statistics, a person will die in a vehicle crash every 12 seconds in the United States. Statistics also show that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans age 35 and younger, and a startling 98% of reported accidents involve a single distracted driver.
Distractions include rubbernecking (watching other drivers and accidents), driver fatigue, looking at scenery, passenger- or child-related distractions, adjusting the radio, and cell phone use. In fact, a new study confirms that the reaction time of cell phone users slows dramatically, increasing the risk of accidents and tying up traffic in general.
The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association reports that in 1990, approximately 4.3 million people subscribed to wireless communication devices such as cell phones; in May 2007, that number was 236 million. With increased reliance on cell phones, the number of people using them while driving has naturally increased. There are predominantly two dangers associated with driving while using cell phones: drivers must take their eyes off the road to dial, and people become so absorbed in their conversations that their ability to concentrate on driving is impaired.
University of Utah psychology professor David Strayer, in a study on cell phone use and auto accidents, said, "If you put a 20-year-old driver behind the wheel with a cell phone, their reaction times are the same as a 70-year-old who is not using a cell phone." Strayer's study was published in the quarterly journal Human Factors.
Each year, cell phone distraction while driving causes approximately 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States. Because data on cell phone use is somewhat limited, the actual numbers of deaths and injuries may be much higher. Strayer and his colleagues have found that even hands-free cell phone use distracts drivers. They explain that the drivers are looking but they're not really seeing because they are distracted by the conversation they are engaged in.
According to this study, scientists found that motorists talking on cell phones while driving are less adept than drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels beyond the legal limit of .08. The cell phone users' impaired reactions involved seconds, not just fractions of seconds, so stopping distances increased by car-lengths, not feet.
Motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The July 2005 study suggested that banning hand-held cell phone use wouldn't improve safety if drivers simply switch to hands-free phones and continue to talk and be distracted. The study concluded that crash and injury risk did not vary with type of cell phone used. In 2001, New York passed the first law banning hand-held cell phone use while driving prompting a national debate on the extent of the danger cell phone use while driving poses.
In May 2007, Washington state became the first state to ban the practice of text messaging while driving; the fine for DWT (driving while texting) is $101, but it is a secondary offense, meaning the driver must be pulled over for some other infraction before the DWT penalty can be imposed.
While cell phones play an integral role in our society, the convenience they offer may be coming at a very high price.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A




How to Legally Change Your Name
By: Nicholas Copernicus | 15/11/2009Changing your name is a simple legal procedure that doesn't require a lawyer. You can't just change your name though, you have to go through the appropriate legal procedure. If you feel uncomfortable handling your own paperwork you can hire a lawyer, but of course that would cost a lot more than handling the paperwork yourself.
Small Claims - Small Claims Court Process Helping your Claim
By: sally bill | 15/11/2009Small Claims -Hassle Free Small Claim I have just done a small claim with Charles & John legal services small claims, we filled in the online application it saves us going to Court we completed the online form its was 3 easy steps we opted for the all inclusive service which was reasonable to handle the whole claim from beginning to end. Hassle Free Small Claim I have just used a small claims service, I filled in the form on the website. We gave the details on the application...
Student Visa: Advice From a UK Immigration Lawyer
By: Gazala Rashid | 15/11/2009Foreign students who have no indefinite leave to remain in the UK or students from countries other than EEA need a student visa if they wish to study in the United Kingdom. If this is your case, then 1. Get an admission letter from a UK institution. Start by choosing a...
UK Citizenship Ceremonies - What You Need to Know!
By: Gazala Rashid | 15/11/2009In 2004, the United Kingdom introduced citizenship ceremonies as part of the process needed to be undertaken when becoming naturalized or registered as a British citizen. Before this time, an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the country was made in private and a certificate of naturalization or registration as...
Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement in Thailand
By: tiwi | 15/11/2009A prenuptial agreement in Thailand is an allowed concept and a valid agreement if entered into prior to the marriage and registered at the time of marriage in Thailand in the marriage register. This article explains the three main benefits of making a prenuptial agreement in Thailand.
Car Accident Prevention - Accident Prevention From Space?
By: Nick Jervis | 15/11/2009Could satellite technology be used to avoid car accidents?
Tax Attorney How to Get One
By: Tehira Hasan | 14/11/2009Here I discussed about tax and attorney to make your tax clear or any type of problem you face with tax.
Online criminal records
By: Andrew Carmiel | 14/11/2009Contemporary societies have been transformed by the sweeping phenomenon of technological advancement and globalization among a host of others. The progress that has been registered especially in information technology has tremendously changed the way things are getting done nowadays.
Teeth Whitening in Beverly Hills
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Dental CareMany factors can cause your teeth to darken or become stained over time. Some of these are controllable, such as staining caused by smoking or foods and beverages. Others are simply due to the natural effects of aging. However, teeth whitening can quickly and easily restore your teeth to their original color.
When Would I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | CriminalIt’s a situation you hope never to have to face—arrest for a criminal offense. If you are ever forced to deal with this difficult scenario, it’s important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side to ensure the best possible outcome.
Breast Augmentation in Orange County
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | BeautyThe increasing popularity and availability of breast augmentation surgery has made it more socially acceptable than ever. While once the surgery was pursued mostly by actresses and models, now many women undergo breast augmentation for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, breast augmentation allows hundreds of thousands of women each year to feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.
Sedation Dentistry in Houston
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Dental CareFor some people, a simple visit to the dentist brings on panic attacks so severe that even twice-yearly checkups and cleanings are virtually impossible. If you are among these people, sedation dentistry can help you overcome your fear and get the regular dental care you need.
Dental Implants in Virginia
By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Dental CareHaving a gap in one’s smile not only makes it difficult to chew and speak, it can also cause the neighboring teeth to shift which can alter the bite and even lead to deterioration of the jawbone. In the past, dentures and dental bridges were the only ways to correct a missing tooth
Why Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer?
By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Intellectual PropertyWhen a marriage dissolves, emotions run high, and the people involved in the dispute too often end up doing or saying things in the heat of the moment that they later regret. This is particularly damaging if there are children involved in divorce negotiations. In seeking to keep divorce proceedings civil, and to make the whole process easier on everyone concerned, an experienced divorce lawyer can make a huge difference.
What is Personal Injury Law?
By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Personal InjuryNo matter how careful you are, at some point in your life you are likely to have an accident of some sort, whether it’s a traffic accident, a slip and fall accident, or another incident that leaves you injured. In those cases where your injury is due to negligence on the part of another person, a company, or another organization, personal injury law is there to protect you.