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In reply to the discussion: U.S. ban sought on cell phone use while driving [View all]bhikkhu
(10,712 posts)"Teen Driver Cell Phone and Text Messaging Statistics
Despite the risks, the majority of teen drivers ignore cell phone driving restrictions.
In 2007, driver distractions, such as using a cell phone or text messaging, contributed to nearly 1,000 crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers.
Over 60 percent of American teens admit to risky driving, and nearly half of those that admit to risky driving also admit to text messaging behind the wheel.
Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage. This result has been expected to grow as much as 4% every year.
Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are texting while driving.
Over one-third of all young drivers, ages 24 and under, are texting on the road.
Teens say that texting is their number one driver distraction."
From http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell-phone/statistics.html - which is a long article of statistics.
I think there is a window of opportunity to change some behavior before it becomes embedded. As a lifelong cyclist, I have to say that driver inattention is more likely to kill or cripple me than anything else on the road, and cell phones have been a game-changer in that regard. In a bad way.