Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Cell phones while driving: As dangerous as a DUI driver?

A study of Australian drivers published this week said the use of any cell phone, hands-free or otherwise, carries a four-fold higher risk of serious accidents.

"There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the Australian study, which was published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The study examined the cell phone records of 744 drivers who had accidents in Perth, Australia, where drivers are required to use hands-free devices. McCart said a similar study is not possible in the United States, as telephone records are not considered public information and accessible, as in Australia.

From various sources, including sciencedaily.com

Comment: Every day each one of us sees some driver who - to say the least - is "inattentive" while talking on a cell and driving. It's time to introduce legistlation for mandatory hands free devices.