Cellphone Use and Car Accidents

Fighting Distraction

In Washington, it is illegal to text while driving, but other uses of the cellphone are not so closely regulated. Unfortunately, all cellphone use – from dialing a number to holding one to your ear – are forms of distraction and may be just as dangerous for others on the road. While it is commonly believed that hands-free devices are safer, there is no evidence to support that claim. In fact, nearly every study conducted on the issue so far has come to the same conclusion: hands-free devices are not any safer than cellphones.

You can make an impact by turning your cellphone off when you get into your car and by encouraging others you ride with to do the same. But even the safest among us cannot prevent irresponsible drivers from causing harm.