Cell Phones and Driver Safety - What Works?

Did you know that 90% of Americans own a cell phone? Did you know that about 11% of the population at any moment during the day used a phone while driving? (USA Today 3.31.09)

On July 1, 2009, California law banned cell phone and texting while driving. Hands-free devices are permitted. Data is still forthcoming if this law has affected death and/or crash statistics. "Nationally, more than 2,600 people die and an additional 12,000 are seriously injured each year due to the phenomenon, according to an estimate prepared by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis and reported by the safety council. Other studies indicate that a driver talking even via a hands-free device is four times more likely to get into a crash. Safety experts believe any reported numbers are probably low, since, after a wreck, many drivers won't admit to talking or texting while driving." (Yahoo Home Page, 4.14.09)

A patent is pending on an item called "Try Safety First" a device that blocks signals to and from cellphones for a 5-foot radius, effectively the space around a driver's seat. It also can be set to be effective only on a secondary key, such as one a parent gives a teen. Insurance companies are even becoming interested in these types of devices as well - some even offering discounts to policyholders if these types of devices are installed in vehicles with teens at the wheel.

These are state laws and each state has pursued issues with driving and cell phones, etc. at a different pace. "Four states — Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina and Texas — are considering banning all types of cellphone usage behind the wheel, including hands-free devices. Six states plus the District of Columbia currently ban handheld cellphone use while driving." (USA Today 3.31.09)