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Against Cell Phone Use While Driving Sylmarie Nunez-Luna Section 7 Banning of Cell Phone Use In the U.S • The following 9 states in the U.S. have banned talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving – California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Washington • Text messaging is banned in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Cell Phone Use vs. Driving Under the Influence • According to the researchers at the University of Utah, driving while using a cell phone is similar to the risk associated with driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit. Study: Cell Phone Drivers vs. Intoxicated Drivers • The purpose of this study was to compare the effects that using a cell phone and consuming alcohol have on overall driving performance. • The experiment was done in a controlled laboratory setting. • A high-fidelity driving simulator was used in order to make a comparison between both driving situations. Participant talking on a cell phone while using the driving simulator Results of the Study: Cell Phone Drivers • When the drivers used a handheld or handsfree phone, their reactions when braking were not as quick as when they were not distracted by a phone. • As a result, these drivers were involved in more traffic accidents than when they were not using a mobile device. Results of the Study: Drunk Drivers • Similarly, when they observed these drivers, they demonstrated a more aggressive driving style. Furthermore, they tended to follow the vehicle in front of them more closely and used more force while braking. Conclusion of the Study • Even under controlled driving conditions, using a cell phone while driving was found to be just as dangerous as when driving intoxicated. Dangers of Texting and Driving • The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted an 18 month study involving long-haul truckers. • The collision risk was 23 times greater when the drivers were texting. This could happen to you! Fatal Texting Accident • In 2008, an engineer of a California commuter train ran a red light. • 25 people were killed • 135 others were injured • Why? – The accident occurred because the operator was texting. – He never hit his breaks. Risk of Cell Phone Use in Our Own State • In Pennsylvania, there were 1,298 cell phone related accidents in 2008. • 9 of those accidents resulted in death. Don’t use your cell phones while Driving… You could save a life, even yours! Sources • “Cell Phone Laws.” Highway Safety Research &Communications. Oct 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010. <http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx>. • Editors. “Engineer in Deadly LA Train Crash Was Texting.” Washington Post Investigations. Oct 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010. <http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx>. • Sachse, Anna. “Eyes On The Road.” The Philadelphia Inquirer. 7 May 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010. <http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/CTW_health_2010 0507_Eyes_on_the_road_.html>. • Strayer, David, Frank Drews, and Dennis J. Crouch. “A Comparison of the Cell.” Phone Driver and the Drunk Driver.” Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. 4 March 2005. Web. 14 Nov 2010. <http://www.hfes.org/Web/PubPages/celldrunk.pdf>.