National Safety Council Calls For Nationwide Ban on Cell Phones While Driving

Stop using cell phones and messaging devices while driving.  Businesses, formulate companies rules prohibiting cell phone use while driving.  Governors and legislators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, pass laws banning the behavior.  These are things that the National Safety Council are calling for.

“Studies show that driving while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a four times greater risk of a crash,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the NSC. “Driving drunk is also dangerous and against the law. When our friends have been drinking, we take the car keys away. It’s time to take the cell phone away.”  “When you’re on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, your head is in the call, and not on your driving,” Froetscher said.

A study from the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimates that cell phone use while driving contributes to 6 percent of crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year. The study also put the annual financial toll of cell phone-related crashes at $43 billion.

The NSC will take a three-fold approach to leading change: advocating legislation; educating the public and businesses about the risk of cell phone use while driving; and supplementing distracted driving content in its training of 1.5 million people annually in defensive driving. 

No state currently bans all cell phone use while driving.  Six states -- California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah and Washington -- and the District of Columbia ban the use of hand-held cell phones behind the wheel.  Will Florida be the next one?

Getting injured in a car accident can change your life forever.  Whether the car accident occurred because someone was using a cell phone, drunk driving, or simply being careless, injuries from a car accident can impact your life and the life of your family.  It is important that you talk with an attorney after being injured in a car accident.  Insurance companies have attorneys.  SO SHOULD YOU!

Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes has been caring for clients after Florida car accidents and work injuries for nearly 20 years.  His Tampa Bay personal injury law firm has been fighting insurance companies for over 54 years.  If you have questions after being involved in a car accident, contact Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes.  Click here to arrange a free case consultation.