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Cell Phone and Driving
The use of cellular phones has skyrocketed in
recent years, with more than 117 million subscribers in the
United States as of July 1, 2001. This increase has been
accompanied by an increase in the number of individuals
concurrently driving and talking on the cell phone. Recent
estimates suggest that cell phone users spend 60% of their time
on a cell phone while driving a vehicle. You see people using
cell phones in their cars every day as you make your commute to
work.
Drivers who are talking on cell phones become engrossed in their
conversations and consequently neglect their driving and often
violate rules of the road resulting in traffic collisions. Just
a few of the most common violations observed by peace officers
include:
Lane weaving
Illegal/Unsafe lane changes
Red light violations
Failing to stop for stop signs
Speeding or going so slow as to impede traffic
The New England Journal of Medicine published a study which
revealed that people who use cellular phones while driving are
four times more likely to be involved in a traffic collision
than the average driver. The impairment factor was measured to
be equivalent to that of a DUI driver with a blood alcohol
content of .08%.
Driver impairment also includes cell phone users who use "hands
free" or "voice activated dialing" systems. A July 2001 study by
University of Utah, revealed that the driver’s loss of
concentration, not the operation of the phone is what makes its
use while driving so dangerous. One can argue that eating while
driving, putting on make-up, changing the radio station or
placing a compact disc in your player can pose the same threat.
This is true. All of these activities require that you take your
eyes off the road momentarily. Our department recommends that
you do none of the above while your vehicle is in motion. Take
the time to pull to a place of safety before you use your cell
phone, or other device, which would distract your attention from
the road.
In fact, in California, Section 22350 of the Vehicle Code
requires persons to operate a motor vehicle with due regard for
traffic, visibility and speed. Even the Department of Motor
Vehicle Handbook has a section dedicated to the use of cellular
phones and driving The California Highway Patrol and the Los
Banos Police Department recommends common sense in the use of
cellular phones, and we urge users to familiarize themselves
with their cellular telephone features and follow these tips:
If possible, dial while the car is not in motion, such as at a
traffic light or stop sign
Learn to operate the phone without looking at it
Never allow a phone conversation to distract you from driving
Keep calls brief While talking, keep your head up and your eyes
on the road, with frequent checks of side and rearview mirrors
Use a hands-free device when available
Pay attention to your number one priority - driving safely
No phone call is so important it is worth dying for! |
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