Driver Cell Phone Laws Vary Across U.S.

On July 1, California became the largest state to ban handheld cell phone use while driving, and a new Washington law went into effect the same day. Other states and cities have cell phone laws for drivers, but they vary widely. The risk of a crash with injuries involved rises four times when a driver is on the phone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Evidence shows that “cognitive distraction from the conversation” is what increases the crash risk and that hands-free sets aren’t any safer. "Let's focus on the research and the data. We need a good highway (cellphone) safety law, and we don't have that yet," said a spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association. "We think it's best for states not to pass more legislation." But Hawaii and Massachusetts are considering doing just that. The cell phone industry has benefited from the laws, selling more head sets and hands-free systems after passage. For more information, go to http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/phones/2008-06-24-cellphone-car-driving-headset_N.htm.

Source: USA Today, June 24, 2008

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