Americans Lead in Cell Phone Use While Driving

According to new research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans are some of the most prolific users of cell phones while driving. The study finds that approximately one in every 3 Americans read and send text messages or e-mail messages while driving, and most American motorists report talking on the cell phone often.

The research has disturbing findings for Houston car accident lawyers who are already very concerned about the high risk to motorists from such distracted drivers. Texas has no blanket ban on the use of cell phones or text messaging or sending e-mails while driving, although many cities like Galveston have ordinances in place to ban the practice. The study indicates that Americans need to be educated further, and need to become much more informed about the dangers of such practices.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that as many as 69% of American motorists admitted that they had had a conversation on their cell phone one month before the survey. Compare that to a rate of 21% in the United Kingdom. Such disparities also existed in the rates of sending and receiving of messages and e-mailing while driving.

Cell phone use among Americans is especially prevalent in the 25 to 44 age category. A high percent of male and female drivers in this age category reported talking on the cell phone. Texting while driving was a highly prevalent practice in the 18 to 34 age group. In this category, a high percentage of males as well as females admitted to texting and e-mailing while driving.