An overwhelming 28% of all traffic accidents are caused by people talking or texting on their cell phones. Almost a half million accidents are attributed to cell phone conversations, while another 200,000 are blamed on texting while driving.

1.4 Million Car Accidents Per Year Directly Related to Talking on Cell Phones

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is serious about changing these statistics. FocusDriven, an organization sponsored by DOT, will be patterning their campaign against cell phone distraction after the successful “Mothers Against Drunk Drivers” (MADD). FocusDriven’s president, Jennifer Smith, has a personal stake in stopping this driving pattern. Her mother was killed by a man who ran a red light while talking on his cell phone.

The tougher laws planned may not be so easily enforced. There are laws prohibiting texting in 19 states and the District of Columbia, but in 4 of those states the law requires the officer to have another reason to be stopping the motorist. In addition, texting is usually done with the phone below the view of the officer. Hands free devices are supposed to help, but many people are still pretty distracted trying to drive and talk at the same time. Some have suggested some sort of signal block in our cars to prevent using the cell phone at all while driving. Somehow I doubt that will be a very popular stance.

What is the solution? Obama is leading the crusade against cell phone distraction. (See my blog post Obama’s war on cell phone usage while driving…) Oprah is asking for pledges to stop texting while driving on her website. Perhaps with more awareness, the problem will diminish. I think however that the American public is too self centered to believe they personally are accountable to stop texting or calling while driving.

I am not confident any amount of legislation will prevent talking while driving. And I keep repeating the question, “Do we want more laws and attempts at controlling our lives?”

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/communications-articles/mobile-cell-phones-articles/14-million-car-accidents-per-year-directly-related-talking-cell-phones-191887.html

About Author:

Debba Boles, a writer for CellPlaza.org, provides blogs, press releases and news articles with the goal of promoting awareness on the topics of cell phones and mobile computing devices. CellPlaza brings you the latest and greatest information in mobile smartphone technology. Visit CellPlaza.org. Support for CellPlaza.org is provided by batteries4less.com the leading online retailer of cell phone batteries, BlackBerry batteries, chargers and mobile accessories.Author: Debba Boles