Watch out for cell phone drivers

Most Atlanta drivers have seen people driving on 285 who are clearly distracted by their cell phone conversations. In fact a USA Today article notes a study that concluded that drivers on cell phone are four times more likely to have crashes that result in personal injury than people who pull over to have their conversations.

The study, released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, also suggests that even using a hands-free device will not necessarily improve driving safety.  It studied 456 drivers in Perth, Western Australia, who owned or  used mobile phones and had been in a crash that put them in a hospital emergency room between April 2002 and July 2004.

Weather was not an issue in the crashes, with nearly 75% occurring in clear conditions. About nine out of 10 crashes involved other vehicles and more than half of the injured drivers said their crashes happened within 10 minutes of the start of the trip.

With more motorists using cell phones on the road than ever, some lawmakers are searching for ways to reducing driver distraction. Talking on handheld cell phones while driving is against the law in New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. Starting October 1, 2005, Connecticut drivers will have to use hands-free devices.  Also some cities, such as Chicago, Santa Fe, and Brookline, Mass., require hands-free devices in automobiles.  It is rumored that Atlanta is looking into passing a similar law. The Governors Highway Safety Association urges state lawmakers to refrain from enacting handheld cell phone bans because it feels it sends the wrong message to drivers that as long as they are hands-free, they are safe.

Some employers looking to avoid liability for car wreck have started policies requiring employees not drive and talk. This is a smart move because if an employee is driving and conducting business on a cell phone, the liability for a car wreck can be imputed to the employer.

A survey released earlier this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 8% of drivers, or 1.2 million people, were using cell phones during daylight hours last year. It represented a 50% increase since 2002. Thus, while it may be tempting to try to be more productive by making a few business calls when driving, doing so can put people’s health at risk.

Michael L. Neff
The Law Offices of Michael L. Neff, P.C.
Two Ravinia Drive Suite 1570
Atlanta, Georgia 30346
404-531-9700
MNEFF@MLNLAW.COM
WWW.MLNLAW.COM - A law firm whose mission is to provide aggressive, competent and caring representation to personal injury victims.