Stop all drivers from using cell phones? What?

The National Safety Council (NSC) has announced their call to ban using cell phones while driving. Why? Because when you’re talking on a cell phone chances are you’re not concentrating on driving.

“Studies show that driving while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a four times greater risk of a crash,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the NSC. “Driving drunk is also dangerous and against the law. When our friends have been drinking, we take the car keys away. It’s time to take the cell phone away.”

In Texas, surveyed teens said they frequently use their cell phone to make calls and/or send text messages while driving. At the same time, 55% of those who were surveyed listed using cell phones while driving, as one of the major crash-risk factors.

Bottom line: Texas teen drivers know it’s not safe, but still do it.

Marshall Ward, a 19-year-old driver from Austin, Texas said, “I agree there is a problem, but I’m not convinced a ban on cell phone usage would be the best way to go at the moment. Education would seem like the first and best step.”

The NSC plans to combat the issue in three ways: pushing for legislative changes; educating people and businesses on the dangers of using cell phones while driving; and updating distracted driving content in defensive driving programs.

Read the press release from the NSC online.