WASHINGTON-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today said cell-phone use by drivers is on the rise.
In 2004, according to a new NHTSA survey, approximately 8 percent of all motorists in the United States-or about 1.2 million drivers-used cellular phones (both handheld and hands-free) while operating their vehicles at any given moment during daylight hours. This compares with 6 percent in 2002 and 4 percent in 2000.
More specifically, NHTSA said the survey found that about 5 percent of motorists in 2004-or about 800,000 drivers-used handheld cellular phones at any given daylight time. That compares with 4 percent of drivers in 2002 and 3 percent in 2000.
The latest government statistics are based on observations, conducted as part of the agency’s annual National Occupant Protection Use Survey. The observational survey was conducted between June 7 and July 11, 2004, at 1,200 scientifically selected road sites across the country, NHTSA said. In some instances, the roadside observational data were supplemented by NHTSA telephone surveys.
Among the latest findings:
- Handheld cellular phone use increased among drivers between the ages of 16 and 24, from 5 percent in 2002 to 8 percent in 2004.
- For all age groups, handheld cellular phone use increased among female drivers, from 4 percent in 2002 to 6 percent in 2004. Men using handheld cellular phones remained steady at 4 percent from 2002 to 2004.
- Motorists are more likely to use phones when driving alone. In 2004, 6 percent of drivers traveling alone were holding cellular phones, compared with 2 percent of drivers who had at least one passenger. However, drivers who had at least one child passenger (7 years old or younger) were as likely to use handheld cellular phones as were drivers with no children on board (both at 5 percent of observed drivers in 2004).
NHTSA is sponsoring research on driver distractions, such as cell phones. In 1997, NHTSA first reported that talking on cell phones while driving increases the risk of having a car crash.
New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia ban talking on handheld phones while operating motor vehicles, but allow drivers to use hands-free devices. Other states are considering similar legislation, though research has found hands-free gadgets do not improve driver concentration.
The cell-phone industry opposes prohibiting drivers from using handheld phones, pointing to some data showing cell phones rank well behind other driver distractions. Verizon Wireless, the No. 2 mobile phone operator, supports hands-free legislation.
