Cell Phone Usage and Drunk Driving

One of the major reasons of an auto accident are distracted drivers. In the more recent years, the use of a cell phone has been added to the list of distractions while driving. And recent studies have shown that using a cell phone while driving is just as bad as Driving Under the Infuence. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “using a mobile phone while driving should be defined in legal terms as an activity on par with the effects of tiredness or alcohol”. Thus, cell phone use while driving is now in the same category as sleep deprivation and alcohol.

Moreover, it has been found that the using hands-free device does not make much difference. This is because the problem lies not in whether the driver is holding his phone or not but in the driver being distracted by the conversation. Having conversation using a cell phone distracts the driver to the point where his cognizance, reflex and reaction time get dangerously slower. In other words, the problem is multitasking while driving, which then cause the driver to crash four times as likely as the drivers not talking on their phone.

Statistically, studies have shown that having a conversation on your cell phone while driving will distract you in the same way as having a blood alcohol level of .08%. This is significantly alarming since about 10% of drivers on the road are talking on their cell phones while driving. This is the reason why there is now a significant increase in the number of cell phone use related driving accidents in the past years.

In some states, using hand held cell phone is prohibited while driving. These states are California, Connecticut, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York and Washington. In most states, using hand held cell phone is restricted while driving government owned vehicles, such as bus, school bus and others.

Since the different states have different restrictions, it is up to the drive to take the initiative. So regardless of whether your state bans the use of hand held device while driving, you as a driver should take the initiative of not using your phone when you are behind the wheels. When you are driving before you answer your phone or before you decide to call on someone ask yourself if you are willing to put someone and yourself at risk. Ask this in the same way as that you would ask yourself if you should drink and drive.