Why Is Chatting and Driving Such a Big Concern?

We've told you many times that driving and talking on your cell phone is dangerous, and we're not the only ones that feel this way. On July 1st, California banned cell phone use by drivers. The law prohibits drivers under 18 from talking on the phone at all, and it requires drivers over 18 to talk hands-free. A similar law went into effect the same day in Washington state and legislation has already been passed in places like New York and Washington, D.C. – and more laws are pending. So why has chatting and driving become a big concern? Consider these details from USA Today:

• Just how dangerous is driving while talking on a cell phone? According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the risk of having an "injury crash" is 4 times greater when a driver is on the phone. Studies show the effects of driving while on a cell are comparable to drunk driving.
• So what makes talking on a cell phone more dangerous than talking to a passenger or listening to the radio? Think about this: A driver and a passenger who are having a conversation can both see the road. So, the conversation would likely stop if something unexpected happened. If a driver is on a cell phone, the person on the other end of the line can't SEE the road. So they’ll keep talking when something dangerous occurs, which prevents the driver from completely focusing. Radio doesn't cause the same distraction because it's passive – drivers just listen and aren't expected to respond. That frees up more brain power for focusing on the road.
• What about hands-free headsets? Is that safer? Actually, studies have shown that drivers using headsets are just as distracted. The bottom line is this: If you need to make a call, you need to pull over. You can STILL get in trouble for talking on a cell phone in a state that doesn’t specifically prohibit it. Most states have reckless driving laws that allow police to pull over anyone doing anything that they think is dangerous. In other words, if your conversation is causing you to drive erratically, you can get a ticket. So pull over!