Driving Statistics – Accidents, Cell Phones, and Texting – Car Reviews and Ratings

We live in busy, busy world. It seems like we try to do it all. This has led us to all be pretty good at multi-tasking. But is it always a good thing?

Sure, it is quite a talent to change a baby while talking on the phone or listen to a book on tape while you jog, but it has gotten a little bit out of hand when it comes to cell phones and driving. Many of us don’t think it’s dangerous or think ‘we’ can handle it better than everyone else. Check out these stats:

America Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety

o Over half of U.S. drivers report having used a cell phone while driving.

o 7 out of 10 admit to text messaging while driving.

o Young drivers were overwhelmingly more likely to text message, and somewhat more likely to talk on cell phones while driving than older drivers.

o Males with high education are more likely to talk while driving

o You are 3 times more likely to get into an accident if you are dialing a phone

Yikes. That is scary stuff, but why do I feel like this won’t change your habits. Honestly, I’m sitting saying to myself, “that is pretty bad.” But I will probably use m cell phone again. I need to break that habit. Here is some more to convince you:

Virginia Tech Driving Institute

o Dialing cell phone increases the risk of accident driving incidents by 2.8 times. Look at that, same as America Automobile Association findings.

o Text messaging while driving increases the risk of accidents by 23.2 times. 23 times!!!

Finally, some states have adopted actual laws about this stuff and I would expect more to follow.

This is what California is doing:

o No text messaging while driving

o No using your cell phone while driving

o If you are under 18, you can’t even use hands-free devices while driving.

Alright, bottom line time: if you are driving, please do not text and if you don’t have a hands free device, please wait until you can pull over to talk on the phone. Remember, you are not the only one on the road. WE ALL share the road. Don’t be selfish. Get a hands free device and keep your eyes on the road.