Cell Phone and Automobile Accidents on the Rise

Wireless communication has dramatically improvedConnecticut. In 2008, California will join the ranks of
daily life, but mobile phone technology also has astates banning hand-held phone use by drivers. In
dramatic downside: the proliferation of cell phone useNovember 2006, it was determined by the National
by drivers has made the roads considerably moreConference of State Legislatures (NCSL) that there
dangerous.were 14 statewide bans on cell phone use by minors
Cell Phones are a Leading Cause of Driver Distractionoperating an automobile.
A joint study released by the National Highway TrafficHands-Free is No Safety Guarantee
Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia TechMany drivers have switched to hands-free mobile
Transportation Institute in April 2006 concluded thatphone devices in an effort to cut down on their risk of
nearly 80 percent of car crashes and 65 percent ofbeing involved in car accidents. However, recent
near-crashes occur within three seconds of some kindevidence suggests that even a hands-free cell phone
of driver distraction. Dialing a cell phone ranked amongpresents a danger on the road. According to the
the most dangerous distractions, tripling the risk ofInsurance Institute for Highway Safety study
being involved in an auto accident. However, whileconducted in Perth, Australia in 2005, switching from
dialing was extremely dangerous, the study discoveredhand-held cell phones to hands-free devices does not
that merely having a conversation on the phone whilereduce the risk of car crashes. Another study
driving was less of a hazard than reaching for a fallingconducted by the University of Utah, and published in
object or driving while drowy. However, thethe summer of 2006, the issue of human factors also
prevalence of cell phone use by drivers makes it theconcludes that hands-free cellular phones carry the
one of the most common - and therefore mostsame risk as hand-held phones. Research is being
dangerous - factors in car and truck crashes.conducted on how high the risk is of hands-free mobile
Currently, as per the NHTSA, there are more than 10phone devices are -- as many claim that the driver is
million U.S. drivers talking on cellular phones at anymore concentrated on a conversation via the phone
given moment, an alarming figure given the linkthan on their driving skills.
between cell phones and distracted driving.It is advisable for an individual who has just been in an
Cell Phones Bans on the Riseautomobile accident a driver's cell phone use increased
In response to the increasing evidence linking cellularthe chance of the wreck occuring, contacting a
phone use and auto accidents, a number of statespersonal injury lawyer could be beneficial. Upon
have started to ban their use on the roads. States withcontact with an automobile accident attorney, you will
legislation restricting cell phone use while driving includelikely receive a consultation on your case and how
New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. andpotential monetary compensation can be derived.