Cell Phones, Texting, and Car Accidents
The wireless industry introduced the cell
phone in 1978. Since then, cell phone ownership continues to grow by
about 40 percent per year. Currently, there are over 250 million mobile
phone users in the United States who call and text on a regular basis.
Considering the convenience of cell phones and busy American lifestyles,
it was inevitable that cell phones would end up in cars.
Making calls and texting while driving have become controversial. The safety risks of cell phone calls and text messaging have led to concerns about car accidents. Mobile phone usage while driving is distracting, and distraction results in inattention. With driver inattention as the number one cause of car crashes, it’s evident that cellular phones and driving just don't mix.
Restrictions on Cell Phone Use While Driving in the United States
Below is a state-by-state chart of restrictions on drivers who use mobile phones behind the wheel.
Handheld: Using a cell phone without a headset or other hands-free device is banned.
Text: Sending text messages while driving is banned.
Some drivers: Cellular use is banned for certain drivers, such as school bus drivers and those under 18.
| State | Restrictions | State | Restrictions | State | Restrictions |
| Alabama | None | Kentucky | Some drivers | North Dakota | None |
| Alaska | Text | Louisiana | None | Ohio | None |
| Arizona | Some drivers | Maine | Text, some drivers | Oklahoma | None |
| Arkansas | Some drivers | Maryland | Text, some drivers | Oregon | Text, some drivers |
| California | Handheld, text, some drivers | Massachusetts | Some drivers | Pennsylvania | None |
| Colorado | Some drivers | Michigan | None | Rhode Island | Some drivers |
| Connecticut | Handheld, text, some drivers | Minnesota | Text, some drivers | South Carolina | None |
| Delaware | Text, some drivers | Mississippi | None | South Dakota | None |
| D.C. | Handheld, text, some drivers | Missouri | None | Tennessee | Some drivers |
| Florida | None | Montana | None | Texas | Text, some drivers |
| Georgia | Some drivers | Nebraska | Text, some drivers | Utah | Handheld |
| Hawaii | None | Nevada | None | Vermont | None |
| Idaho | None | New Hampshire | Some drivers | Virginia | Text, some drivers |
| Illinois | Some drivers | New Jersey | Handheld, text, some drivers | Washington | Handheld, text |
| Indiana | None | New Mexico | Handheld | West Virginia | Text, some drivers |
| Iowa | None | New York | Handheld | Wisconsin | None |
| Kansas | None | North Carolina | Text, some drivers | Wyoming | None |
Here are some facts about cell phone use behind the wheel and car accidents:
- Of drivers who were using cell phones at the time of their accidents, the majority were talking on their cells at the time of impact. Therefore, phone conversations, rather than dialing, is the most frequently reported crash factor.
- A few drivers were startled when their mobile phone rang and, as they reached for their phones, they ran off the road.
- An overwhelming majority of cell phone users involved in car crashes struck cars or other large objects that were in clear view.
- Manually dialing a cellular phone can disrupt vehicle control activities, such as maintaining speed and staying in the proper lane.
- Cellular telephone use while driving increases the risk of having a car accident.
- As the number of mobile phones used while driving increases, the number of car crashes linked to cell phones will increase.
Many of us know using a cell phone for talking and texting while driving is dangerous, but we still take the risk. We at Edgar Snyder & Associates urge you to use cell phones responsibly – for your safety and the safety of others on the roadway.
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