How many people get into a car crash while talking on the phone?

Answer 1

The number of cell phone subscribers in the United States reached approximately 159 million in 2003 according to the U.S Census Bureau. Of those 159 million people, 46% of women drivers and 47% of men drivers own a cell phone. Chances are a lot of them take the added risk of talking on their cell phone while driving. Many researchers have done extensive studies into how cell phone use affects our driving. An early study showed that people talking on their cell phones while driving were four times more likely to get into an accident. The problem is, most of us are dependent on our cell phone and feel lost if we do not have it by us at all times. Whether it's a quick call to say "hi" to mom, calling home to see what you need to pick up from the grocery store, or calling your friends to see where everyone is, the car offers a convenient talking environment. Even though cell phones have been around for a while now, they are still considered a novelty to many people, especially young people. The problem is the young drivers who see it as a status symbol to have a cell phone are also the most inexperienced drivers. Another reason people seem to be talking on the phone in their cars is traffic congestion. While sitting in traffic that seems to go on for eternity, many people turn to their cell phones to alleviate the boredom, and irritation. In a 2000 Insurance Research Council (IRC) survey of U.S. households, 91% of people polled believed that talking on a cell phone while driving increases the risk of having an accident. Ironically, self reported cell phone use has steadily been on the rise since 1997. This is more then likely due to the fact that more and more people have cell phones these days. The IRC survey examined who's on the phone, how often, and what they're talking about. Not surprisingly, the survey found that most people are either talking business or figuring out what is going on with family members. Phone ownership was split about equally among men and women, and also equally around the country. The more education and money survey takers had, the more likely they were to have at least one cell phone. Another aspect of the survey gauged opinions regarding legal restrictions on cell phone use while driving. Nearly 70% of those surveyed thought that laws restricting the use of cell phones while driving were a good idea. However, only about a third thought such laws would be obeyed. 47% believed that safety campaigns would actually reduce cellular phone use while driving.