The statistics may surprise you if you aren’t sure that driving while using a cellphone increases crash risk in California. Although not all studies show that talking on a cellphone increases your risk of being in an accident, it has been shown that texting and manipulating a phone while driving increases your risk.
California drivers can become distracted by texting and cell phones. Distracted driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as any activity that distracts from driving’s primary task.
Other distractions than electronic gadgets could include:
- Setting the music in your vehicle
- Drinking and eating
- Reading
- Grooming
- Interacting with passengers and pets
These other activities are not as dangerous as driving while using a mobile phone. Researchers can’t conclude from the research that prohibiting texting and handheld cell phone use reduces collisions, even though Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS), research shows that driving while using a mobile phone increases crash risk. However, bans on handheld use of cell phones decrease overall phone usage.
Restricting Cellphone Ability While Driving
Driving while using a mobile phone increases the risk of a crash, but new apps can control cell phone access. Smartphone apps can also be used to restrict or limit the use of electronic devices while driving. These apps work best when vehicles are moving and can:
- Silence the phone
- Voicemail can be used to redirect incoming calls
- You can respond to all incoming messages by sending a preprogrammed text message
Summarized from an article by Arash Khorsandi Injury Lawyers.
