President Obama, AAA, the NPR program Car Talk, and even Oprah, are in on it. They are all calling for restrictions on cell phone use while driving.
The term "distracted driving", formerly referred to drivers who were eating, shaving or applying make-up behind the wheel. It is now cell phone use that has come under fire.
States With Laws Regarding Cell Phones and Driving
Currently 19 states have banned texting while driving:
- Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, , Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington
- In addition, Washington DC and Guam have also imposed bans.
The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains a list of every state and their cell phone use and texting while driving laws. Residents of states where there are no such laws, may contact state legislators to voice an opinion.
On Oct. 2, 2009, President Obama signed an executive order banning federal employees from texting and driving in government vehicles, as well as in their own vehicles while doing government business. In a separate move, the federal government has also called for a ban preventing bus drivers and truck drivers who cross state lines from texting while driving.
Research Into the Dangers of Texting While Driving
Dr. David Strayer, professor of psychology at the University of Utah, has studied distracted driving for nearly 10 years. He is widely known for his 2001 study showing hands-free cell phones are just as distracting as hand-held cell phones. In 2003, Strayer conducted another study revealing the reason as “inattention blindness. This means that motorists can look directly at road conditions, but not really see them because they are distracted by a cell phone conversation.
Strayer recently appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where he said that only about 2% of people have the capabilbity to multi-task in the way that is necessary for texting and driving. A recent survey conducted by Nationwide Insurance reveals that 18% of cell phone owners admit to texting while driving. Most fall between the ages of 16-30.
NPR's program Car Talk has teamed up with Dr. Stayer to form Drive Now, Talk Later, a website devoted to issues surrounding the debate of talking or texting while driving. The site includes links to studies, real stories from people who have been impacted by talking and texting accidents, and the latest news articles on the topic.
Talking on Cell Phones While Driving
A 2005 Insurance Institute Highway Safety study showed no difference in the number of car accidents between drivers who used hands-free versus hand held phones. The study further reveals that drivers using cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
A group modeled after MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is taking on the issue of cell phones and driving. Called, FocusDriven, the organization advocates cell-free driving. Through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, the group hopes to get the message out regarding the dangers of being distracted by a cell phone while driving. The organization also reaches out to victims families to offer support to those who have been injured or lost a loved one in a an accident caused by the use of a cell phone.
It is clear from accident reports and cell phone company records that the number of car accidents caused by usage of cell phones continues to increase. Many states have banned the practice in an effort to decrease accidents. There are continued efforts to educate the driving public on the dangers of using cell phones while driving.
References:
Gilbert Cruz and Kristi Oloffson, "Distracted Driving" Time, Aug. 24, 2008.
Sarah Lynch, Text Messaging Behind the Wheel" Time, June 25, 2008,
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