Don't read this from your smartphone while driving. While many people realize that driving while using a phone is dangerous some don't realize that people who use cell phones while driving engage in many more dangerous behaviors. Not only are young people sending and reading texts while driving they are also updating their social media status.
Drivers who use their phones while driving also perform such other tasks as speeding, driving while sleepy and driving without a safety belt. A new survey from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found some very scary and contradictory facts about people who drive while using a cell phone.
More than two thirds of licensed drivers reported talking on a cell phone while driving within the last month despite that nearly 9 in 10 respondents believe that other drivers using a cell phone is a major threat to personal safety.
The president of the foundation explained that there is definitely a need for more education regarding cell phone use and driving because the problem is getting worse.
On the bright side, drivers who never use their cell phone while driving or less likely to engage in other dangerous behavior:
- Speeding was reported by only 31% respondents.
- Driving while drowsy was reported by 14%.
- Sending her text or e-mail was reported by only 3%.
- Those who drove without a safety belt were 16%.
Drivers who use their cell phones for driving over the past not month also reported other dangerous activities such as:
- Speeding by 65% of respondents.
- Driving while drowsy by 44%.
- Sending text or e-mail by 53%.
- Driving without a safety belt by 29%.