Cell Phone Use Leads to Distracted Driving
The use of your cellphone while driving is hazardous and leads to serious car accidents every year in the United States. The government does not have accurate statistics on how many accidents are caused by cellphone use because many drivers do not want to admit to using a cellphone just before a crash. However, reports do show that cellphone use is still a main factor in distracted driving accidents.
The National Safety Council reports that 21 percent of all car accidents in the U.S. involved people talking or using their cellphones. Research shows that drivers using cellphones, even hands-free devices, are four times more likely to be in an accident.
What are the myths of distracted driving?
The myth that drivers can multitask continues to cause accidents. Do you know the myths surrounding cellphone use and distracted driving? They are:
Myth 1: Drivers can use cellphones and drive at the same time. Talking and driving are both cognitive functions. This makes it difficult for your brain to complete both activities at the same level, making it difficult to safely operate a vehicle.
Myth 2: Talking on the phone is the same as talking to a passenger in the car. This is not true. A passenger in the car is able to see road conditions and alert the driver if necessary.
Myth 3: Hands-free devices are safer than hand-held devices. Hand-held devices are just as dangerous as hand-held cellphones because it forces the driver to focus on the road and listen and talk at the same time.
Myth 4: Drunk driving is more dangerous than cellphone use while driving. Studies found that drivers using cellphones actually had slower reaction times than drivers with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent.
Many safety groups continue to raise awareness to the issue. Now that you know the common myths surrounding cellphone use and driving, you can take steps to prevent an accident before it’s too late. Remember to put your cellphone down and focus on driving the next time you get behind the wheel. This simple step could save yourself and others from being injured in a car accident.
