Cell phones and driving
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Using cell phones while driving vehicles may distract drivers, and lead to automobile crashes.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2005 about 10% of all vehicles on the road at any given daylight hour were using a cell phone, up from about 8% the previous year.[1].
Research indicates that using a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated and many more people use a cell phone while driving than are intoxicated while driving [2] A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that drivers who used mobile phones while driving were up to four times more likely to crash than those who didn't.
Advocates claim that using cell phones while driving increases their productivity, and allows them to talk to loved ones and friends. Mothers Against Drunk Driving official policy supports the use of cell phones in motor vehicles.
Contents |
[edit] Legislation
At least 27 countries restrict or prohibit cell and other wireless technology while driving: Israel, Japan, Portugal and Singapore all prohibit mobile phone use while driving. Australia, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, the Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Drivers in the Czech Republic, France, and the Netherlands may use cell phones but can be fined if they are involved in crashes while using such a device.
Legsilation to restrict cell phone use has been proposed in 40 states in the US;New York, New Jersey and Washington, DC have passed such a law.[3]
[edit] References
[edit] Sources
- Sundeem, M. Cell Phones and Highway Safety: 2002 State Legislatures Update. Denver, CO: National Council of State Legislatures, 2003.
- Connelly, J. Cellular phones can distract you to death. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 16, 2003.
- Cell Phone Use and Traffic Fatalities
