Cell Phones and Driving - The Grim Truth

Emergency personnel, concerned citizens, personal injury lawyers and others who have too often seen the results of horrific auto accidents have been gratified by the research on cell phones and driving that has appeared on the scene over the past few years. But the fact remains that the word still isn't out. No matter if a person only talks for a second, or uses a hands free headset, cell phone use behind the wheel is incredibly dangerous. Finally, data is backing up what many people concerned about driver safety knew all along.

In 2010, the National Safety Council (NSC) released a report in which they estimate that a staggering 28% of all traffic crashes are caused by drivers using cell phones. That totals out to an estimated 1.6 million car wrecks per year that could have been prevented by better public awareness or strict legislation barring the use of cell phones while driving.

There are two main, and very dangerous, ways that drivers use mobile phones on the road - talking and texting. For now, according to the NSC, the majority of crashes - 1.4 million - are caused by drivers talking on the phone. But, warned Janet Froetscher of the NSC in a press release, "We now know that cell phone use causes many more crashes than texting. The main reason is that millions more drivers use cell phones than text. That is why we need to address both texting and cell phone use on our roads." With the increase in the popularity of texting as more people learn the technology and the prices of text messaging plans drop, there is a significant risk that more than the 200,000 annual estimated driving and texting related accidents will occur in the future.

Teens are the most dangerous menace on the roads when it comes to texting and driving. A 2009 survey by the renowned Pew Research Center revealed that one out of four teenagers admitted to texting while driving. Texting is a dangerous behavior that prevents a driver from paying attention to the road and keeping both hands on the wheel. Combine this with the relatively few years of experience enjoyed by teenaged drivers and the recipe for a driving and texting epidemic is at hand.

But a logical adult who would not dream of driving and texting has very likely chatted on his or her cell phone while driving in the car at least once. But those scary statistics - 1.4 million auto accidents caused by talking on the cell phone alone - should make otherwise responsible drivers take notice. When driving in the car, ignore the cell phone or, better yet, turn it off. Don't be a part of one of those 1.6 million yearly accidents.

Michael Neff is a Georgia car accident lawyer and injury attorney who specializes in aggressive, caring and expert representation for people who have been injured through no fault of their own.

Michael Neff's professional leadership positions include the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, where he serves at the Voir Dire Litigation Section co-chair, and on the Membership Committee, Special Needs Trust Committee, and Legislative Committee. If you have been injured in Georgia, call 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com Expert, Michael Neff




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