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Posted on 08.26.09 9:56AM under CAR ACCIDENTS, CATASTROPHIC INJURIES, SAFETY
Most of the population realizes the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving, but recent statistics show cellphones may be even more dangerous. These devices are believed to be the cause of more than a thousand fatalities and crashes every year.
Researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that cell phone use by drivers caused approximately 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents in 2002. More frightening is the fact that hands-free devices do not decrease the risk of accident. Research shows that motorists talking on a cell phone are four times more likely to crash than other drivers, and are as likely to cause an accident as someone with a .08 blood alcohol level.
The NHTSA recommends that drivers never use wireless communication devices—whether or not they are hands-free—except in an emergency.
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