Study: TN holds highest percentage of cell phone driving deaths

[The Straight Story]

When it comes to cell phone-related crashes, Tennessee ranks worst in the country, according to a study from the National Safety Council.

The NSC took total fatality numbers in 2010 and 2011; both times, Tennessee had the worst numbers when it comes to the percentage of deaths caused by the use of a cell phone.

In 2010, it was 7.6%; 2011 was 10.6%.

"People don't realize how far the car actually travels when you look off the road," said THP Sgt. Randall Martin. "You take your eyes off the road for two seconds, how far your car traveled?"

It's been illegal to text while driving since 2009, but Sgt. Martin still sees people do it today.

...

In comparison to the national average, which ranks at 1.2% of all driving deaths related to cell phone usage, some experts said other states may have skewed reporting numbers.

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/281774/2/Study-TN-holds-highest-percentage-of-cell-phone-driving-deaths

[sinkingfeeling]

1. They should get a Darwin award.

[The Straight Story]

2. Problem is, other people get killed by cell phones. And folks give them to kids at young ages

which only gets them hooked at an early age. I grew up fine without one and never knew anyone who died because of one.

We made it 200 years in this country without them and there is nothing, anywhere, in our constitution that says a person has a right to own one.....

[tabbycat31]

3. they're a necessity in this day and age

Especially as landlines become obsolete. (Ask anyone under 40 when the last time they had a personal landline was).

That said, I'm the first person who is in favor of stricter cell phone laws. In 2000 I was almost killed when I was rear-ended by a woman driving an Expedition on a cell phone. And those stupid Bluetooth devices (that make anyone wearing them look like douchebags) don't make things better.

[The Straight Story]

4. Not sure what new laws could be enacted

Already pretty much illegal to drive and talk/text. Maybe if we had a ten text limit per day or a device that had to be put in cars that blocked cell phones while the car is on.

Perhaps anyone who causes an accident while using a phone is banned from getting a new one (which means we could add registration and background checks - and force all carriers to check the DMV records before activating/selling)?

[tabbycat31]

5. the problem is people who think the laws apply to everyone but them

I have a friend who never makes a phone call outside of her car. I keep telling her that she needs a ticket, and she swears up and down she will never get one.

THe second problem is the cops need to enforce these laws. In some states it's a $400 ticket. Think of the revenue it could bring to governments.

[pipi_k]

7. Only

$400 for a ticket?

Hah. They're a lot more lenient than I would be.

Two things that deserve a very stiff sentence...

DWI and texting while driving.

[pipi_k]

6. I don't know what laws

we could have that would truly prevent people from using cell phones while driving...

Ten text limit per day...no. A person could be using the first of ten texts and kill someone.

Making them inoperable while the car is running...I like that one except for one thing, which probably doesn't happen all that often, but it's something to think about...a cell phone on someone who's been kidnapped wouldn't work unless the car engine was off. I don't know how often people call from cell phones during a carjacking/kidnapping, so this might be a possibility.

Banning someone from owning one if he's caused an accident...too easy to circumvent. Get a friend or relative to sign up for a prepaid plan.

As someone who, probably like most of us, has almost been hit by some clueless shithead nonchalantly gabbling away or texting instead of paying attention to the more important task of driving...I really hate that these idiots think the laws don't apply to them.

[tabbycat31]

8. How about enforcing existing laws

The only law I would change is the exception that is given for hands free devices. I'd take that away.

[The Straight Story]

10. Enforcing them cost more than just making new laws, and the new

laws might make more people feel more safe. Besides, by the time the cops usually get involved the accident has happened already.

Maybe all cars should have cell phone safes which won't open after the car is started (unless airbags deploy)...

[LeftinOH]

9. "It all happened so fast!" That's what they always say (if they live to say anything),

For people who have never been in an accident (yet), it's difficult to comprehend how easily it goes down. I don't answer my phone while driving -sometimes the ringer is even turned off; it's not worth it. Ever.