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Distracted Driving Statistics

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Distracted Driving Statistics
Abstract
Distracted driving is any behavior that impairs the ability of a driver to operate a motor vehicle safely. Widespread cell phone ownership, the convenience and connectivity they offer and our virtual addiction to their habitual use, have made cell phones a significant distraction and a major source of automobile accidents and fatalities. Although many states have passed distracted driving laws, they have been difficult to enforce and mostly ignore the risks associated with hands-free operation. Education, mobile apps limiting cell phone use and other technologies may each offer some level of contribution, but the only viable near-term solution may be a technology that completely restricts all cell phone operation when a vehicle is …show more content…
Cell Phone Statistics
There is little doubt about the appeal of cellular telephones. They enable us to stay connected with friends and family through voice calls, email and texts. They can access the Internet for local and world news, help us navigate to a desired location, play games, take photographs or record videos, and many other capabilities. A report by the Australian Telecommunications Association and the Australian National University (Wajcman, Bittman, Jones, Johnstone & Brown, 2007) found the majority of people feel cell phones increase productivity, maintain intimate relationships, improve work-life balance and provide a sense of security.
Given the level of convenience and connectivity provided by cell phones, they have become an indispensable part of life for nearly everyone. Findings from a Pew Research survey (Rainie, 2014) indicate:
91% of American adults (age 18 or older) own cell phones.
97% of American adults between the ages of 18 and 44 own a cell phone.
56% of American adults have …show more content…
The invisible addiction: Cell-phone activities and addiction among male and female college students. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. Retrieved December 4, 2014 from http://akademiai.com/content/b288753537587502/fulltext.pdf
Governors Highway Safety Association (2014, December). Distracted Driving Laws. Retrieved December 4, 2014 from http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
U.S. Department of Transportation (2011, December). National Distracted Driving Telephone Survey Finds Most Drivers Answer the Call, Hold the Phone and Continue to Drive. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Traffic Tech, number 407. Retrieved December 4, 2014 from http://www.distraction.gov/download/research-pdf/8397_TSF-TT_DistractedDrivingSurvey_120711_v4_tag.pdf
McCartt Ph.D., Anne T., Kidd, Ph.D., David G. & Teoh, Eric R. (2014, March). Driver Cellphone and Texting Bans in the United States: Evidence of Effectiveness. Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine. Pages 99-114. Retrieved December 4, 2014 from
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