Driving While Talking – The Link Between Cell Phones and New York Car Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that at any given moment in time, over one million Americans are talking on handheld cell phones. While cell phones provide convenience, these devices are known for being major driver distractions.

One survey by Nationwide Insurance found that 67 percent of people said that they use cell phones while driving. Why is it a problem when it comes to safety on the road? The NHTSA, along with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, found that nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes take place within three seconds of some form of driver distraction. Think about how long it takes you to look down to see who is calling on your cell or how long it takes you to dial a telephone number when you are driving. Chances are, it takes three seconds or longer.

Many states, including New York, have passed laws prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving. New York even has a law that bans a very dangerous practice – texting while driving. Anyone found violating this law could be fined.

There has been a lot of debate about whether or not talking on a cell phone and driving is really dangerous. Some say that talking on a cell phone when behind the wheel isn’t any more dangerous than changing a radio station. Others disagree. An Australian study in 2005 found that drivers talking on cell phones were four times as likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did its own analysis into the dangers of cell phones and driving. The IIHS found that among the 120 cell phone studies that were reviewed, most reported some type of driver performance impairment.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Manhattan or Long Island car accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to recover compensation. For more information, contact an experienced Long Island car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 today. We handle cases in Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and throughout New York.