# Unsafe Driving in the Cellphone Era

Driver Behaviour: Distracted While Driving In 1997 the use of cellphones had become so popular that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study that assessed the potential dangers in the growing use of wireless phones.

Since the invention of cellphones their usefulness and portability has lent them to mass production and consumption. The cost has exponentially deflated, as well, which means almost everyone can afford the convenience.

## Rise in Potentially Dangerous Vehicular Events

When the NHTSA released its study the report was responding to the alarming increase in driver distraction posed by cellphones.

The summary of the report explains, "Although there is a serious under-reporting bias in the data, there are trends which show that cellular telephone use is a growing factor in crashes."

## How a Cellphone Contributes to Driving Dangers

Two types of cellphone behaviour typically lead to unsafe driving conditions:
Handling the phone: dialling, answering, text messaging, etc. The conversation distracts you from concentrating on the road.

Is fumbling with the cellphone itself a more dangerous activity than your conversation?

## Consumer Attitudes

So, the auto safety industry is able to isolate the two most concrete factors in cellphone use that lead to unsafe driving situations or to crashes. But, when polled, what do drivers think? Some studies have shown that drivers themselves believe that cellphones are a bigger distraction than any other behaviour in which they engage while driving.

## Things drivers do that take their eyes and focus off the road:

ACTION | Witnessed often or always | Makes a lot of difference to safety.
--- | --- | ---
The driver is talking on a cellphone. | 57% | 28%
The driver is selecting music while driving. | 52% | 13%
Music in the car is very loud. | 46% |
The driver and passengers are dancing or singing along to the music. | 33% | 21%
The driver is text messaging, playing a video game, or using some other kind of handheld device. | 19% | 79%
BE ALERT!!!