Texting & talking while driving: Why cell phones cause accidents

From nbc26.com:

You're driving along the highway and suddenly remember the doctor's appointment you were supposed to make. You don't want to forget again, so you quickly push the "contacts" button on your cell phone, scan for your doctor's name and push "send."

After calling and making your appointment, a beeping noise alerts you that you've received a text. It could be important, so you quickly avert your eyes from the highway to scan your message. You hastily text back a reply.

Does this sound like you -- or maybe your teen? If so, the chance of having an accident quadruples, research shows.

Distracted drivers

Distracted driving is a term that refers to more than what happens when a driver uses a cell phone. It also covers other behaviors that cause accidents. Applying makeup, talking to a passenger or reaching for a baby's dropped bottle can all affect your awareness on the road. Yet, none of these other distractions increase your risk of having an accident more than using a cell phone, studies have found.

At any given moment, one in 10 drivers on the road is using a cell phone. Over half of surveyed drivers admitted to using a cell phone at least occasionally while driving. Young drivers were much more likely than older drivers to text while driving.

State laws

Five U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands all now prohibit drivers from using handheld devices, although hands-free devices are allowed. The District of Columbia and 14 states ban text messaging while driving.

Most drivers who use cell phones think it's safe to talk on a hands-free cell phone. There is overwhelming evidence, though, that both handheld and hands-free phones are equally risky.

Effects on drivers

You have four times the risk of being in a crash if you're on the phone while driving. Talking on a cell phone while driving lowers your reaction time, studies confirm. This is believed to be caused by a phenomenon known as "perceptual blindness." It suggests that when a person focuses on one task (like talking on the phone), he or she fails to notice unexpected distractions -- even when looking at them.

One study found that drivers talking on cell phones were more likely than other drivers not to see traffic signals. They were also slower to react to brake lights when following a vehicle. As a result, they were more likely to cause rear-end crashes than other drivers.

Recommendations

If you have a cell phone, follow these tips:

Don't talk or text when driving.

Let your voice mail pick up. Most cell phone-related crashes happen when a person is answering an incoming call.

If you have a passenger, let that person answer the phone for you.

If you need to make or receive a call, pull into a safe, well-lit parking area to do so.