Driver Cell Phone Usage on the Rise
|
|
September 27, 2006 | By: 
Comments (1)The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) came out with an interesting report earlier in the year which addressed the increasing usage of cell phones in cars. The report states that driver cell phone usage increased in 2005, with 6% of drivers on hand-held phones in 2005 nationwide, compared to 5% in 2004.
 |
The 2005 rate translates into 974,000 vehicles on the road at any given daylight moment being driven by someone on a hand-held phone. It also translates into an estimated 10% of vehicles in the typical daylight moment whose driver is using some type of phone, whether hand-held or hands-free.
The 2005 survey also reported:
• Hand-held cell phone use increased in a number of driver categories, including female drivers (from 6% in 2004 to 8% in 2005), and drivers age 16-24 (8% 2004 to 10% in 2005).
• The incidence of drivers speaking with headsets on while driving also increased in 2005, from 0.4% of drivers in 2004 to 0.7% in 2005.
If you are wondering about the methodology of this research, the report states that trained observers sampled intersections controlled by a stop sign or stoplight, where motorists are observed from the roadside. Data was collected between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
NHTSA: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
Survey: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/RNotes/2005/809967.pdf
 |
« Anti-Rollover Technology for All Vehicles by 2012 | Main | Top 10 Money Saving Tips for Term Life Insurance »
The Bloggers
Comments (1)
Joe
September 27, 2006 14:18
This very timely as just last night I was heading home from a long day at work and noticed just how many people are on their cell phones. In one instance I was sitting at a busy intersection and counted the number of drivers on cell phones that were passing in front of me as they turned. At one point I counted 12 cars in a row....that is just ridiculous. Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of those people who applauds the new laws regarding talking on your phone while driving. I do think that responsible usage is important. I only make or accept calls on my phone while driving when I know that the caller has a time sensitive issues…otherwise hopefully they will leave a message and I will return their call as soon as I am at a better location.