Is driving while using cell phone safe?

Learn more about the dangers of driving distracted and the use of cellphones while driving, with useful information about Nationwide Insurance to help prevent accidents from texting when you're driving.

New Survey On Your Side Nationwide verified with specific statistics on cell phone use while driving, the general assumption that there is strong public support for laws that restrict cell phone use while driving.

The new survey results reveal, based on these statistics on texting while driving, there arevarying degrees of support for different types of constraints,

1.8 out of 10 drivers support any restrictions on the use of cell phones.

2.Most respondents said they support laws that restrict any use of cell phones while driving.

3. 80 percent of respondents supported a ban on texting while driving.

4. 80 percent of respondents supported the ban on sending emails while driving.

5.Two thirds (67 percent) of respondents said they were in favor of laws restricting phone calls while driving.

6.Among those who favor enacting any restrictions on the use of cell phones, nearly 3 in 4said the law should apply to all drivers, not just specific groups.

Read other statistics on cell phone use while driving:

a.The distraction caused by the use of phones while driving (just holding hands or hands-free) prolongs the reaction time as much as if a driver had a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (University of Utah)

b.No.1 cause of the lack of attention of drivers is the use of a wireless device.

c.Drivers using cellphones are four times more likely to be involved in crashes severe enough to cause injury. (NHTSA, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

d.The 10 percent of drivers between 16 and 24 use their phone at any time while driving.

e.Distracted driving is a factor in 25 percent of crashes reported by police.

f.Use your cell phone while driving reduces brain activity associated with driving in about 37 percent.