660,000 Drivers Are Using Cell Phones Right Now: NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently conducted a survey on distracted driving, and found that at any average daylight moment, 660,000 drivers are using a cell phone or other electronic device behind the wheel.
One of the studies used to find this info, the national survey on distracted driving attitudes and behaviors, polled 6,000 drivers aged 16 and up and found that almost half of them admit to answering phone calls while driving, while one in four will make a call while driving.
In contrast, the same poll found that 74 percent of respondents support a ban of talking on a cell phone while driving, and 94 percent support a ban on texting while driving.
“Distracted driving is a serious and deadly epidemic on America’s roadways,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “There is no way to text and drive safely. Powering down your cell phone when you’re behind the wheel can save lives – maybe even your own.”
As of April 4, 2013, 39 states have laws on the books that ban text messaging while driving, but only 10 states prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving.
NHTSA says that in 2011, 3,300 people were killed and 387,000 were injured in accidents that involved distracted driving.
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
More by Stephen Elmer
Comments
Join the conversation