NHTSA Cell Phone Use Distracts

It is reported by officials that back in 2003, certain ones in the U.S. Congress warned the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration not to lobby states about the restriction of cell phone usage, nor to promote laws regarding the use of hands-free devices. And as a result, hundreds of pages of NHTSA research were concealed, putting American drivers at risk.

According to the New York Times, a consumer advocacy group called the Center for Auto Safety filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, which resulted in the release of a document now made available entitled: “Status Summary: Using Wireless Communication Devices While Driving.” This report was prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Original Date May 1, 2002, Updated July 2003.

The following statement is a draft on page 262:

Distraction Statement Draft:

“Whether the vehicle is a small car or a large truck, there are many things which can distract the driver from his or her primary task – getting to a destination safely. Those distractions come in many forms, from eating and drinking to conversations with others in the vehicle. While drivers must recognize that all distractions can be dangerous, wireless communication devices are particularly unique and troublesome since they involve cognitive distraction. Research has consistently demonstrated that diversion of a driver’s attention can seriously impair the ability to drive safely. And, the reality is, drivers’ performance can be compromised regardless of whether the device is hand-held or hands free. Consequently, we recommend that drivers not use a cell phone while driving.”

The research indicates something that most cell phone users don’t want to accept: using cell phones while driving is potentially dangerous to drivers, passengers and perhaps others on the road. According to a blog entitled Kicking Tires (http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/07/data-on-distracted-driving-was-suppressed-by-nhtsa.html) it is reported that “A driver on the phone is four times more likely to get into an accident, the same as a driver with a .08 blood-alcohol level.”

The Transportation Department now estimates that the number of drivers who talk on the phone have doubled since 2003. The usage of cell phones while driving is becoming a real public threat, because it is estimated by researchers back in 2002 that close to 1,000 people died due to a cell phone related vehicle incident.

Whether American drivers believe it, accept it, or not, the data seems to indicate that the number of fatalities has at least doubled in the past 6 years, especially since texting while driving has also increased dramatically in recent years.

However, the regulation for restricting cell phone use has not occurred at the federal level. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, “No state completely bans all types of cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit cell phone use by certain segments of the population.” The GHSA also reports that texting is currently banned in 14 states.

The following website provides a state by state breakdown of the restriction of cell phone usage: http://www.statehighwaysafety.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

There are many who believe the regulation of cell phone usage has gone too far. Some even assert that the usage of cell phones while driving is absolutely essential in an emergency situation such as to warn law enforcement of a potential road hazard, accident or an otherwise dangerous situation.

Others also say that in certain situations where a driver is sleepy and unable to pull over and no rest stop is available (i.e. mountainous driving or other similar condition) that talking on the cell phone is a good way to stay awake and engaged.

Some have even said that talking on the cell phone is no different than having a person sitting next to you while you drive: "What are we supposed to do, make everybody in the car shut up while we drive?" God knows it takes a mother to have nerves of steel to handle screaming kids in the back of a minivan!

What is your opinion about talking on cell phones while driving? Please leave your comments and/or participate in the poll below. Thank You, And Drive Safely!

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