Driving with a Cell Phone the Risks and Benefits

The risks of driving with a cell phone are small when compared to the other risks faced while driving. Emergency situations, drunk drivers, falling asleep on the road, and worried drivers can pose greater threats to drivers on the road.

Drunk Drivers
When a drunk driver is free to roam the road, the threat to other drivers is increased. The authors at Harvard have estimated that the average risk of being killed by a driver using a cell phone is 6.4 in a million per year. "That is 80% less than the average risk of fatality to a driver with a blood alcohol level of .10%." Drivers with wireless connections can quickly dial-up help so that others can be kept safe.

Falling Asleep
Many accidents happen when a driver falls asleep at the wheel. Most of the time, the person is alone and there is no communication with another passenger. Cellular phone users can call up a friend or spouse to pass the time and keep them from falling asleep. When using hands-free devices*, the driver feels like they are merely talking with a passenger. The driver is able to stay awake and prevent an accident. *(Now days all of the major cell phone companies like Nextel, AT&T, Verizon, T Mobile and Sprint have hands-free devices available.)

Emergency situations
When faced with an emergency situation such as an accident or a crime scene, cell phones can save lives. Wireless services allow drivers to be "good Samaritans" to others. The driver can quickly call 911 and alert police to the scene.

One study done by Harvard, noted "that the cost of banning cellular phone use while driving is about $700,000 for each quality-adjusted life year saved. That is 30 times more expensive than achieving the same public health benefit with driver airbags, and ten times more expensive than achieving that benefit by keeping the speed limit on interstate highways at 55 instead of 65 MPH." According to this study, banning cell phone use would be more to our detriment than benefit. www.harvard.edu/press/release/press0724000.html

Peace of Mind
A driver with quick access to a cell phone can have peace of mind. If you have car problems, a flat or run out of gas a cell phone can be a life saver. There is less worry about road rage drivers because a person can protect themselves with a phone call. Parents can contact children at home and feel assured that they are safe. Drivers can also call to ensure others of their own safety and that they are merely running late or have a few more errands to finish.

Before we are too quick to ban the use of cell phones while driving, we should realize what the ban could potentially cost. If you had a teenage daughter on the road, would you be more worried about her using the cell phone or the other potential dangers she might face on the road? In this world, I wouldn't want my children driving without a cell phone and the best cellular phone service available. The solution I believe should be more about education, when and how to safely use a cell phone while driving. Just a few things to think about ...

Catherine Duke, B.S.

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