Americans admit to causing car accidents during cell phone use

Posted by Chuck BoykJune 02, 2008 5:02 PM

With the increased popularity of cell phones in recent years, it is not surprising that 25 percent of US drivers admit to using a cell phone to make outgoing calls, and 26 percent of drivers admit to answering incoming calls while driving, according to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The scary statistic is how many people admitted that the cell phone use contributed to a car accident.

One in four people surveyed admitted to being involved in a car accident in the past five years. Yet one tenth of one percent of all drivers attribute cell phone use as the reason they were involved in a car accident. While the percentage does not seem that significant, 0.1% of all drivers equates to an estimated 292,000 people causing car accidents due to cell phone use, according to the NHTSA.

Our Toledo, Ohio car accident attorneys urge drivers to pull over while using their cell phones. If you must take a call, tell the person on the other line that you are driving and that you will call them back once you arrive at your destination. Purchase a hands-free device that allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Practice safe driving habits, free of cell phone use, to prevent car accidents that often in result in serious personal injury.