Cellular Phones Distract Drivers
Thursday, June 21st, 2001 AutoAlmost all Americans (91 percent) in a recent Insurance Research Council (IRC) survey of U.S. households believe that use of cellular phones while driving distracts drivers and increases the likelihood of accidents. Eighty-nine percent of cellular phone owners agree that using cellular phones while driving distracts drivers and increases the likelihood of accidents. Despite this belief, overall self-reported cell phone use while driving has actually increased in the last three years, largely a result of cellular phone ownership nearly doubling since 1997. "Even though Americans believe that talking on the phone while driving can be dangerous, it continues to be an irresistible temptation for many drivers," said Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president, who heads the IRC.
