Cell Phone Use in Cars
Time and again, state authorities have warned drivers about dangerous consequences of cell phone use while driving. Traffic authorities of many states have taken a serious note of increasing incidents of accidents that have resulted due to reckless use of cell phone while driving. In many jurisdictions, government traffic agencies have been very strict on cell phone usage that is definitely a welcome step for promotion of driving safety measures.
Nonetheless, still a major section of population, especially the younger ages don't pay any heed to warnings and bans of traffic police. Moreover, many of them have often paid heavy monetary penalties but that hasn't deterred them to stop the use of cell phones in cars. In one of the most bizarre accidents in the US in November 2009, a million dollar 'fine' was imposed on a Texan driver for talking on phone while driving, that probably is the highest fine imposed on any driver for doing such an act, in the US.
Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving
The allure of high tech cell phone gadgets and their availability at affordable prices has led to an obsession about this quickest mode of communication. With increasing facilities in cell phones, people have become more engrossed and curious in understanding about cell phone features. Cell phones have become such an integral part of our lives that, now people even don't consider it to be dangerous for their lives, even while driving. Driving is a skill that demands concentration and focus on mind and body and by using cell phone in cars, drivers are at a high risk of getting distracted and eventually leading to disastrous accidents.
Alarming Statistics of Cell Phone Use in Car
Alarming statistics speak volumes about the increasing intensity of this problem. Accidents and reckless driving cases related to cell phones and driving have been innumerable and this has raged a serious debate on banning cell phone use in cars. According to various sources, each year, about 21% fatal car crashes occur due to cell phone usage and involve teenagers between age group 16 to 19 years.
Talking on cell phones and texting messages are the two most important reasons for accidents while using cell phones in cars. Amongst teenagers, awareness needs to be spread about dangers of texting while driving. Texting has been found to be more dangerous than drunk driving and people texting while driving are at a risk of accidents 6 times more than those who are intoxicated and driving. In the year 2007, 1,000 car crashes occurred, causing damage to life and property, due to using cell phone in cars. A 2008 study states that over 800,000 Americans in the year 2008 were actively using cell phones while driving during day time. The number of casualties due to distracted driving, that majorly included accidents cases due to cell phone use in cars, in the year 2008 has been reported to be 6,000. The number of people getting injured due to these accidents have been in millions. Should cell phone use in cars, be banned ? Well, after reading the statistics mentioned in this article, and that is just the tip of the iceberg, and considering the dangers of using cell phone in cars. One can logically conclude that cell phone usage in cars must be definitely banned. This can be a great step to ensure road safety.
While various countries have imposed certain restrictions on cell phone usage in some or the other ways, it is more important to spread awareness about the dangerous habit of using cell phones in cars. As a part of driver education programs, driving license providing authorities and agencies must ensure that they have done their best to make drivers aware of how lethal it can be to use cell phone while driving.
