In December, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a nationwide ban on all cell phone use while driving. This goes beyond the hands-free laws enacted by ten states. Considering the dangers, why isn’t there such a ban in place? Cell phone use spread at almost an epidemic rate before the dangers were documented. Distracted driving causes more 6000 crashes and 3000 deaths each year.
Safety organizations report that 28 percent of all accidents are caused by cell phone use. We have all been there—a near accident caused by talking or texting on the phone. Traffic deaths are not restricted to drivers and passengers. Emergency rooms reported last year more than 1000 pedestrians were injured or killed while walking and talking/texting. Hands-free phones are not, according to research, an effective solution. A driver in conversation with someone outside of the vehicle is also dangerously distracted. In fact, a cell phone user may be as impaired as a drunk driver.
In December, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a nationwide ban on all cell phone use while driving. This goes beyond the hands-free laws enacted by ten states. Considering the dangers, why isn’t there such a ban in place? Cell phone use spread at almost an epidemic rate before the dangers were documented. At that point, the dangerous practice had become common. A majority of drivers state support for a ban, but their behavior belies their commitment. Psychologists tell us a texting or talking driver is under an illusion of control, in denial or the risks involved in the distracted-driving behavior. The NTSB has been joined by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), national insurance organizations, personal injury law firms, and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in the call for a ban.
The NTSB does not have authority to enact legislation, but with support from the governor’s organization and pressure from safety advocacy groups, state legislators are expected to consider more restrictions on mobile phone use. Recommendations include a nationwide ban on texting, restriction of cell phone use to emergencies, strict enforcement of existing laws, and a ban on the use of mobile devices by novice drivers.
The average time to send a text is 5 seconds, the time it takes a car moving at 55 mph to travel the length of a football field. A driver talking (hands-free or not) on a cell phone will generally slow down and often fail to notice critical details in the driving environment. The dangers are so well recognized that it is common practice for a personal injury attorney representing a car crash victim to request cell phone records from the driver of the other vehicle.
What can you do to protect yourself and others? First and foremost, hang up. Leave your phone in your pocket or purse until you are pulled off the road and parked. (No, a quick peek at the stop light is not safe—you are likely to have to put your car in gear again before you finish reading the text.) By setting aside your mobile, you will be focused on driving and set an example for your passengers. Second, refuse to talk with or text someone who you know is driving. Say you know they are driving and you will wait for a callback when the drive is over. And third, contact your legislators to express your support for stronger legislation and enforcement. You can be part of the solution.
