Large Majority of Drivers Who Own Cell Phones Use Them While Driving Even Though They It's Dangerous

[AlexanderProgressive]

According to a Harris Poll just released.

Key findings in this Harris Poll include:

 72% of those who drive and own cell phones say they use them to talk while they
are driving;
 Most of these people (66%) say they usually use hand-held rather than handsfree
telephones to talk;
 Even in states that have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving,
half (49%) of cell phone users use hand-held, rather than hands-free, phones;
 Only 2% of those who use cell phones while driving believe this is not dangerous
at all. Most believe it is very dangerous (26%), dangerous (24%) or somewhat
dangerous (33%);

http://harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/pubs/Harris_Poll_2009_06_08.pdf

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. 72% of those who drive and own cell phones say they use them to talk while they are driving

...and 50% of the other 28% are lying about it.

[tridim]

3. I don't own a cellphone

I'm probably the last person in the country who can say that.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Almost the last -

I don't have one either. Not because I don't like the technology - I'm just anti-social (well, non-social, actually) and wouldn't even have a land line in my place if it wasn't a basic necessity.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure it is - the only person who ever calls me anymore would be my mother; everyone else uses email.

[tridim]

9. I'm much the same way, but the real reason is I don't want to be available 24/7

for whatever crap my boss wants me to do at any random hour of the night. Yes, IT sucks.

How did people ever survive with just pay phones and land-lines?

[tridim]

2. This is one of the main reasons I just sold my motorcycle.

It's not that these drivers CAN'T see us on the road, it's that they're not even looking because they're too busy on the damn phone.

[andym]

4. Shouldn't this post be in General Discussion, not GDP nt.

[kestrel91316]

5. I guess I'm in the 28%. I own a cell phone but have enough trouble figuring

out how to just turn it on and call with it that I would NEVER consider using it while driving, even if it weren't illegal here in CA. Unfortunately DWC (driving while celling) is rampant here in LA, particularly in the large black SUV and sporty black coupe sets.

[HopeOverFear]

6. People are hardheaded; they don't listen.

they don't think accidents will happen to them.

[tridim]

10. If you're in a crash while on the phone, it's not an "accident". nt

[HopeOverFear]

14. I agree.

[pennylane100]

8. I just bought a blue ant hands free speaker.

It takes a little getting used to, and does not always recommend my commands but it it certainly beats looking over my shoulder for cop cars (I live in california). I often laugh when I find myself swearing like a sailor at a machine when things go wrong but its better than getting a ticket.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Cell phones are dangerous because people cannot concentrate on more than two things.

Driving involves more than just holding the wheel. It requires keeping an eye on your speed. It requires keeping an eye on the other idiot in front of them and in back of them. It requires observing traffic flow and possible problems up ahead.

There is only so much multi-tasking that one can do safely.

Even at home a land-line phone distracts one from their surroundings. At least it is safer in most situations. Unless, one is cooking or doing an activity that dangerous when safety precautions aren't used.

[Clio the Leo]

12. This has nothing to do with this thread or Barack Obama however...

... the new iphone comes out next week!!!! WOOHOOO!!!! Cant wait!!! Of COURSE I use it when I'm driving ... but I also use it when I'm sleeping ... and even when I'm NOT using it, I'm using it!!! :)

You think THIS guy has a problem?



HA!!! GOT NUTHIN' on me!!!

(where is that video of the time he almost ran into the poll because he wasn't looking up?)

[bain_sidhe]

13. I finally used one while driving

a couple of weeks ago - but only because I was meeting someone, and they were calling me to change the location of the meet.

Didn't like it. Not one little bit. And this was on a sparsely-traveled ex-urban road (not urban or suburban, but not quite country either). I can't imagine using it in traffic. Yikes!

[omega minimo]

15. and even though it's illegal in California.

[frogbison]

16. I think

we are conditioned to answer the phone when it rings