New research finds that hands-free cellphone laws are associated with fewer driver deaths, and laws in 21 states allowing only hands-free cell phone use by drivers have prevented about 140 driver deaths and 13,900 driver injuries annually in the U.S.
The same research found that calling-only, texting-only, texting plus phone-manipulating and calling and texting bans are not linked to fewer driving deaths. The effectiveness of hands-free laws over other other could be due to greater compliance as ands-free cellphone laws clearly send the message that cellphones are not to be handled at all while driving. In addition, drivers may be more likely to believe that enforcement is possible when the laws govern cellphone use broadly, according to the study, Bans on Cellphone Use While Driving and Traffic Fatalities in the United States published in Epidemiology. The study was conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States relative to other high-income countries and drivers cellphone use is a common traffic safety hazard. Cellphone use may involve manual distraction (hands off the steering wheel), visual distraction (eyes off the road), and cognitive distraction (mind off driving) and includes activities such as calling, texting, looking at apps and various other uses.
To combat the risks of using a cellphone while driving, states have implemented a variety of laws. As of June 2021, 21 of 50 states have implemented hands-free cellphone laws (that is, comprehensive handheld cellphone bans) that prohibit almost all handheld cellphone use including texting, calling and using apps. In addition, three states and the District of Columbia banned calling and texting, 24 states banned texting, and two states had no prohibition on cellphone use for drivers of any age.
The researchers looked at drivers, non-drivers (passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists), and total deaths involved in passenger vehicle crashes from 1999 through 2016 in 50 states, along with the presence and characteristics of cellphone use laws.
Were not suggesting states take peoples phones away while driving or tell them not to use their phone while driving, said Motao (Matt) Zhu, MD, MS, PhD, lead author of the study and principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Childrens. Were recommending that, if you need to use your phone while driving, you do so hands-free. Further, we recommend states implement hands-free cellphone laws to encourage this behavior change.
Zhu said the research demonstrates that hands-free laws save lives and reduce the societal costs associated with distracted driving, noting that hands-free laws have prevented about 140 driver deaths and 13,900 driver injuries annually. The study also found that hands-free laws save drivers` about $7,900 in societal costs annually.
The study was published in Injury Prevention.
The Center for Injury Research and Policy, a national, not-for-profit research institute that works with policy makers and advocates to advance evidence-based strategies to reduce preventable injuries and deaths, conducted the study with Nationwide Childrens Research Center. The study also included data from the New York Statewide Adoption of a Distracted Driving Law Study and the New York City Police Department.
In November 2016, Governor Cuomo signed the Distracted Driving law, which went into effect on January 1, 2017.
The study says it is not a substitute for proper training and driving skills. It is a way to encourage safer driving by encouraging drivers to make a decision without using their hands. The report also recommends drivers take into account the potential costs of taking their eyes off the road.
The study also says it is also a way to reduce the number of distracted driving accidents.
A separate study released by the Governors Highway Safety Association in August 2016 said distracted driving is the number one cause of preventable deaths and severely injures in the U.S. with 40,000 reported injury cases each year. That study cites that number has declined by about 14% since 2013. But the Governors have said recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that only 3% of drivers have been trained to use hand signals to alert other drivers of their presence.
New York State`s law has been used in an extensive trial to reduce the number of collisions.
A 2014 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the number of accidents caused by cell phone distracted driving dropped by 17% in 2014. There were 1.33 million accidents in 2014, according to the study. In 2009 there were 1.63 million cell phone distracted driving accidents.
In July 2014, NHTSA said a majority of cellphone drivers could get their hands on a hands free device, but many did not use them. That same month, a study by researchers at Iowa State University found drivers who used cell phones fell asleep at the wheel were twice as likely to cause a collision than distracted drivers who stayed awake but did not text or speak on their phones.
In May 2014, after months of pressure from legislators, the cellphone manufacturer, Apple, released a new operating system designed to work with the iPhone. That software worked with an app used by police and emergency crews and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has seen a significant decline in cell phone distracted driving accidents. The NHTSA data indicates that the number of accidents caused by cell phone distracted driving decreased from the previous year and that police are also using the technology to better support law enforcement and to protect drivers. That has improved safety, not worsened it, according to the governor`s office. The governor`s office says there have been more than 80 fatalities caused by distracted driving accidents in the first six months of the year. That compares to about 25 in each of the same time period of 2013. But there has been less concern for drivers who call on their cell phones while driving and don`t have the presence of mind to change lanes. That concern is based on anecdotal evidence that indicates, for the most part, those accidents aren`t occurring as often.
The governor`s office says the number of deaths caused by accidents caused by drivers distracted by cell phones is down 80 percent in the first six months of the year compared to the same time period of 2013. Of the accidents that happen, about 14 percent of them are caused by cell phone distracted drivers.
For the first half of the year, about 5 percent of all fatal crashes were caused by cell phone distracted drivers. That is down from 8 percent in 2013, and the percentage of distracted drivers who cause accidents has held steady.
The number of accidents caused by texting while driving is down from its peak in 2011, but still accounts for one out of every ten crashes.
The number of accidents caused by eating while driving has decreased each year since 2011, but still accounts for one out of every seven crashes.
The number of accidents caused by drinking alcohol while driving is now at a record low.
There are just as many cell phone distracted drivers as there were in 2009, when there were more than 1 million accidents caused by distracted drivers. That figure has stayed relatively steady since 2011, but has decreased each year since 2011.
In the first half of 2015, there were over 1,700 accidents caused by distracted drivers. That is down from 2,190 in 2014, and 1,892 in 2013, but is up from 1,567 in 2012. The number of cell phone distracted drivers has decreased each year since 2011 and is down from its 2011 high.
Distracted drivers are responsible for 5.9 million accidents annually
Distracted drivers account for 5.9 million accidents each year. That`s a small proportion of all accidents. This is in comparison to the number of cars, trucks, and vans on the road, and the amount of accidents caused by cars, trucks, and vans. And it`s worth noting that over 80% of all distracted driving accidents, there are only 200 deaths a year caused by distracted driving, which compares to the millions of car, truck, and van accidents.
Of the 20% of distracted driving accidents that are accidents, 10% of these accidents are fatal. Distracted driving accidents are often caused by distractions from the right item. An estimated 70% of distracted driving accidents were caused by texting while driving. The number of accidents caused by eating and drinking while driving have decreased every year since 2011. While there were more than 2,000 accidents caused by eating and drinking in 2014, that number was just under 1,800 in 2013. The amount of accidents caused by eating and drinking has decreased every year since 2011, and has remained the same in 2014 and 2013.
Distracted driving accidents are caused by distractions from the right item. While there are 200 deaths annually caused by distracted driving, one of every seven traffic accidents is the result of distracted driving, and one of every four deaths caused by distracted driving. While distracted driving causes deaths and injuries, many are caused by car accidents which are caused by speeding, drowsiness, or inattentiveness. A distracted driver is not liable for car accidents caused by speeding, drowsiness, or inattensignedness. Even a small amount of a substance which he is drinking can render him unable to control his vehicle. Drivers are usually liable for accidents caused by the careless driving of another driver.
The distracted driver can be held responsible for auto accidents caused by other drivers even when he has been driving carefully. A distracted driver is not liable for the negligent driving of another driver. It`s important to remember that cars are vehicles, and there`s more than one type of driving a car. Cars are not toys. If a car is defective, the consumer is not liable for damages caused by it. There are a number of factors which can make a car dangerous. Some cars may be inherently dangerous. For instance, some vehicles may be more prone to rollovers than others. Others may be dangerous if faulty, and dangerous even before the problems. In certain cases, it may be impossible to make a car safer. The manufacturer may be liable for accidents caused by car accidents caused by the careless driving of another driver.
A car accident attorney is essential for any victims of car accidents. A car accident attorney has the proper resources to go after an automobile manufacturer for damages. A car accident lawyer will also be able to seek restitution for the victims. There are a number of car accidents for which car accident lawyers can take cases. The following are some examples of car accidents:
* Auto Accidents caused by weather conditions – If you suffer an injury from a snowfall or a windstorm, chances are there is a legal action that can be taken against the weather company.
* Motor Vehicle Accidents – There are a number of cases involving injuries caused by faulty tires or other tire defects.
* Auto Accidents caused by DUI Drivers – There are cases of auto accidents caused by drunken drivers.
* Auto Accidents caused by illegal immigrants – The government may have put limits on how many immigrants from certain countries can enter the country. If a driver falls outside these limits, they can be held liable for accidents caused by them.
* Auto Accidents caused by drunk drivers – There are some states that have raised the limit on how much you can drive after you`ve been drinking.
* Auto Accidents caused by fatigue – Most doctors prescribe tiredness drugs to be on the safe side. If you were not warned about this, and you were already fatigued, you may be entitled to an accident claim.
* Auto Accidents caused by poor maintenance – If your car needs repairs, the car manufacturer is responsible for keeping your car safe and in good working order.
* Car accidents caused by dangerous roads – The government is responsible for maintaining roads so that they are safe and smooth.
* Collisions caused by bad weather – You may be eligible for a car accident claim if you were struck by a car that was in a bad weather storm.
If you get involved in an auto accident caused by another driver, you have the legal right to seek justice against them. The first step is to hire a car accident attorney. A car accident attorney can handle any types of claims, including a car accident claim.
There are attorneys who specialize in handling car accidents, in addition to other forms of damages. They have the experience necessary to know what steps you need to take in order to reach a positive result. An experienced attorney will help you to recover the necessary compensation for your damages and losses.
– Contributed courtesy of Mullen & Mullen
