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Cell Phone Facts

More than 80% of the USA's 94 million cellphone owners use their phones while driving at least some of the time, according to a Harvard Center for Risk Analysis survey. Awareness of the dangers is growing. In a break with the rest of the industry, Verizon, the USA's largest local phone service provider, agreed to back laws that ban the use of handheld cell phone while driving.

More than three-fourths of U.S. adults back some type of restriction on cell phone use by motorists and an even greater majority believe that not enough attention is focused on the issue, a Louis Harris Poll has found.

The poll, done for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, revealed that 76 percent of participants support legislation to limit or ban the use of cell phones behind the wheel. Eighty-three percent feel the issue needs more attention, the poll said.

According to a survey by Farmers Insurance Group, 87 percent of adults believe that using a cell phone while driving impairs a person's ability to drive.

And while only two percent of drivers said they had been in an accident in which one of the drivers was using a cell phone, more than 40 percent reported to have had close calls or near misses with a driver who was on the phone.

Specific aspects of cellular telephone use have been identified which demonstrate that phone conversation rather than dialing is the most frequently reported related factor. Contrary to expectations, the majority of drivers were talking on their telephones rather than dialing at the time of the crash. A few drivers also were startled when their cellular telephones rang and, as they reached for their phones, they ran off the road. Other driver factors included driving too fast for conditions or failing to yield. The overwhelming majority of cellular telephone users were in the striking vehicle, and struck cars or other large objects that were in clear view of the driver.

The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law. See Terms of Use.