Just about everyone is talking on a cell phone these days. A study by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) showed that over 254 million people had cell phones as of February 2008. You can see people shopping, walking and even driving with a cell phone attached to their ear.
In Texas, drivers in school crossing zones are banned from using handheld devices, such as cell phones. Bus drivers and intermediate license holders (for the first twelve months) are not allowed to use cell phones while driving. However, even with the current restrictions on cell phone usage in Texas, accidents are still occurring.
Cell Phones Can Affect Driving Behavior Studies have been conducted in an effort to determine if there is a link between cell phone usage and car accidents. One study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified cell phones as a top distraction for drivers.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reviewed more than 120 cell phone studies and found that nearly all of the drivers involved reported that their driving performance were affected by distractions associated with cell phone tasks. It was concluded that talking on a cell phone typically increased reaction times and travel speeds. It also caused more lane deviations and steering wheel movements.
A 2005 study in Western Australia discovered that people using cell phones were four times as likely to be involved in injury crashes. An older study conducted in Canada in 1997 also confirms the increased risk of accidents when cell phones are used. It found that cell phone usage was linked with a fourfold increase in the risk of an accident that causes property damage.
If you have been injured in a car accident that you believe was caused by a distracted driver, you can and should hold that person accountable. Contact Steve Lee, an experienced Houston car accident attorney, at 713-921-4171 or 800-232-3711 for legal advice.