Cell phones are a huge part of our lives these days. Everyone seems to have a cell phone because they make everything so much more convenient. The problem that we are facing with cell phones though, is how many car accidents they are causing.

In the United States there are over 210 million people that use cell phones. People are relying on them more and more. Because of all the car accidents associated with cell phone use, we must decide whether this convenience is really worth it in the car.

When drivers use the cell phone in the car, there are two big problems. First, you have to take your eyes off the road to dial. Second, cell phone conversations can be so absorbing that you lose the ability to concentrate on driving. This is very dangerous and jeopardizes the safety of everyone in and around the car.

In a study done in April 2006, it was found that 80% of car crashes involved the driver not paying attention right before the accident. The most common cause of these distractions is cell phones. Drowsiness was the second biggest distraction. Other distractions include eating, talking, attending to children and putting on makeup. People that talk on the phone and drive at the same time are four times more likely to get into an accident that is bad enough to cause injury.

In another study, it was found that drivers who talked on hands-free phones were slower to brake by 18% and took longer to get their speed back after they braked. Also, drivers on hands-free phones could not remember seeing billboards, pedestrians, or other things by the road. So, just because the phone is hands-free, it still isn't safe to use while driving. People using hands-free cell phones still have to concentrate on the conversation, which takes their attention off the road.

Many states and cities are continuously trying to get laws passed which will ban the use of cell phones in the car. Some places have already passed laws, such as Connecticut, New Jersey and Chicago. Connecticut drivers are fined $100 for using the cell phone while driving, as well as doing other things such as putting on makeup or disciplining children in the car. New Jersey fines people $100 to $250 for using the phone.

Even businesses that do most of their work by phone are prohibiting their workers from using phones in the car. Many businesses now have policies in effect that require their employees to get off the road to make business calls.

There are at least 40 countries today that restrict or ban using the cell phone while driving. These countries include Austria, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, Botswana, Denmark, Finland, Egypt, France, Greece, Germany, India, Ireland, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Italy, Kenya, Jordan, Malaysia, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, the Philippines, Romania, Portugal, Singapore, Russia, Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Zimbabwe. Most of these countries totally ban the use of cell phones while driving. In France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands drivers are allowed to use phones, but if they are in an accident they will be fined.

As more and more places put bans on cell phones, drivers need to be aware that they are a serious danger to use while driving. If you must make a call it is best if you pull off the road and make your call from the side of the road. That will keep you and everyone around you safer.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Cell Phones