Is talking on a cell phone dangerous while driving?

todvango

Wow... 10 answers and nobody bothered giving this guy what he's asking for? (That was websites, plural.)

What you are talking about is "distracted drivers", and in your example, specifically when using a cell phone.

I can't say I agree with the content of all of the following, but here you go...

http://www.drdriving.org/articles/distracted.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/20/driving.study/index.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-01-distracted-inside_x.htm
http://www.drivers.com/article/313
http://www.expertlaw.com/library/car-accidents/distracted-driver.html

You will undoubtedly form your own opinion on this topic, but for me personally, I admit that I take the unpopular position that the last thing we need is more laws telling us what we can and can't do inside our own vehicles. If you are weaving in and out of your lane, not-signaling, slamming on the brakes, or running traffic signals (yikes!), you are breaking the law and should be cited, cell phone or not! We have enough laws are on the books, we just need to enforce them!

I've been running a poll on this since April, you can check it out if you'd like. All comments are welcome and will not be deleted unless you swear or get vulgar...

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-jMjuQCwldKI7Imwa_ZLqmg--?cq=1&p=3

Good Luck with your report.

Be Safe, God Bless.

cosmo

no more so than lighting a cigarette,changing a CD, fiddling with the radio or as in the case of most female drivers that I`ve seen, turning to talk to the passengers in the back seat!

s.bridges

I think it depends on the skill level of the driver. If you are a dumbass then you are going to wreck your car no matter if you were distracted using your phone, changing the radio station, putting on make up, lighting a cig, drinking a soda, picking your nose or whatever it is that you are doing. You can safely drive and use a cell phone you just have to manage it well. Who ever you are talking to is going to just have to wait if you are busy going through a dangerous intersection or some other area that takes more attention from the driver

Just Me

www.hangupanddrive.com

eriverpipe

www.itsbleedingobvious.com

WelshLad

From experience with2 near misses from drivers who are using a mobile in their hand and talking - yes

quiz of mind

yes because when we are driveing that time we are not knowing that this can be danger for me

outremerknight

Check out the website for 'Myth Busters' on Discovery TV. They did, I think, two full shows on this. And,yes, they discovered that it is more dangerous than mild drinking (I mean being slightly 'drunk')

ianhad

Google it. Loads of hits!

rann_georgia

Especially dangerous holding it to your head rather than using a headset. I can't understand how someone can talk on a cellphone, have the stereo blasting, the windows down and driving 60 mph.

There was a story a couple of years ago about a man speaking on his cellphone and a woman speaking on her cellphone and they ran into eachover. The irony of the story was they were talking to each other and were husband and wife.

With a headset, talking should be no more dangerous than carrying on a conversation with a passinger in your car.

I think what's really dangerous is the SMS.

UCANTCME

A study released in April 2006 found that almost 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the event. The study, The 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study, conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), breaks new ground. (Earlier research found that driver inattention was responsible for 25 to 30 percent of crashes.) The new study found that the most common distraction is the use of cell phones, followed by drowsiness. However, cell-phone use is far less likely to be the cause of a crash or near-miss than other distractions, according to the study. For example, while reaching for a moving object such as a falling cup increased the risk of a crash or near-crash by 9 times, talking or listening on a hand-held cell phone only increased the risk by 1.3 times. The study tracked the behavior of the 241 drivers of 100 vehicles for more than one year. The drivers were involved in 82 crashes, 761 near crashes and 8,295 critical incidents

The Tank

Are you American? If so, why are you posting a question on the "UK and Ireland Only" forum?

Very simple answer - it is illegal to use a mobile phone when you are driving, unless it is a properly fitted hands-free set.

You will be fined Â£60 and get 6 points on your licence. There is no exceptions and the police always prosecute if they see you holding one.

The law was passed because it was shown that drivers who were holding phones tended to be driving more erratically and dangerously than those that weren't. So, it is unsafe.

Therefore your question is moot.

deadrat

You don't need a website the answer is yes.

bungee

your highway safety dept. would have that info

TOON ARMY FOR EVER.

If you need to ask that question,then you should not be driving.

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