Apparently "66 percent of U.S. drivers aged between 18 and 24 send text messages while driving and 93 percent talk on their cell phone behind the wheel. This compared to 16 percent of Americans cell phones owners overall texting behind the wheel and 77 percent talking on the phone while on the road" (source).
I never use my phone while driving, but I’m willing to perhaps understand people who use a headset. But texting? Texting? How dumb are people to think that’s a good idea?
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It is my understanding that use of a headset makes little to no difference in safety compared to holding the phone up to your ear. I know that seems counter intuitive, but apparently it is the activity of concentrating on the conversation, not the extra hand on the wheel, that makes the difference. Heck, I usually drive one handed even when I'm not talking on the phone!
Consider another possibility: these stats may not really be that scary -- younger people who have grown up using cell phones may actually be able to use them and drive at the same time more safely than older folks.
I'm not saving that talking on the phone is safe while driving (and texting is plain ridiculous), just that it might not be time to sell the car just yet.
When I turned 16 1/2, Dad made it clear he wasn't buying me a car. This, along with Arizona's fantastically expensive insurance rates, especially if you're under 35, motivated me to look at alternative forms of transportation. Now that I'm firmly in a different "actuarial demographic," I'm a bit wary about learning how to drive in The Valley of the Sun because people here, quite frankly, drive like maniacs whether or not they are distracted by their cell phones. These days, just being a pedestrian is a dicey proposition.
My past relationship took a down turn when I failed to answer a txt msg no sooner than 30 minutes, so I can understand the rush to txt (back) while driving.
This speaks volumes about me and my x, alas, I don't txt or phone while driving (I don't even own a cellular phone anymore).
Tragically, there was a fatal car accident in Peoria, AZ Monday that police are attributing to this very thing.