The National Safety Council estimates that 23% of all traffic crashes are associated with drivers using cell phones and text messaging (21% cell phone and 2% text messaging). The data inputs for the 21% of crashes associated with cell phones included epidemiological studies that have found cell phone use results in a fourfold increase in the risk of crashes, and NHTSA’s NOPUS results show 9% of drivers are talking on cell phones at any given daylight moment.
The 2% of crashes associated with text messaging is based on an 8 times relative risk while text messaging estimate and a NOPUS estimate that about 0.6% of drivers at any given daylight moment are observed manipulating handheld electronic devices. For additional details on the National Safety Council’s crash estimates, please visit: http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/Distracted_Driving/Pages/Cell-Phone-Crash-Data.aspx
The risk factors of talking and texting while driving…