Driving with a Mobile Phone: the Threats and Benefits

The hazards of driving with cell phones are minute when set against the other threats you run across while driving. Critical situations, driving under the influence, falling asleep while driving down the road, and disturbed drivers can exemplify augmented dangers to drivers driving.

Critical situations
Whenever faced with a dangerous predicament such as a car accident or lawless behavior, cell phones like Nextel can rescue lives. Wireless services allow drivers to be "good neighbors" to others. The driver can promptly contact 911 and forewarn police to the place.

One survey done by Harvard, mentioned "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, banishing Cingular cellular phone use or other suppliers would be more to our expense than profit. ( harvard.edu/press/release/press0724000.html )

Drunk Drivers
While an inebriated driver is able to roam the state highway, the danger to other drivers is inflated. The authors at Harvard have approximated that the average possibility of being hit by a driver using a cellular phone is six point four in a million annually. "That is 80% less than the average risk of fatality to a driver with a blood alcohol level of .1%." Drivers with cellular phones can promptly call for service so that other people might be unharmed.

Falling asleep
Several automobile accidents take place when a driver falls asleep at the wheel. Almost always, the individual is alone and there is no corresponding with another passenger. Verizon cell phone users can telephone an acquaintance or husband to pass away the time and prevent them from falling asleep. When using hands-free attachments, the driver senses that they are simply speaking with a traveler. The driver is enabled to be sharp and stop a car accident.

A mind at ease
A driver with quick access to a cell phone like T Mobile can have peace of mind while driving. If you have automobile problems such as a blown tire or run low on gas and a wireless phone might be a life saver. You can not worry about passionate drivers as an individual can protect themselves with a telephone call. Grandparents can dial up children at home and be comforted that they are protected. Motorists can also call to guarantee acquaintances that they are kept safe and are only going to be late or have a few more errands to complete.

Before we are too quick to forbid the use of cellular phones while driving, we should be educated about what the ban may really cost. If you had a 16 year old girl driving, would you be more concerned about her having the mobile phone or the other expected dangers she might encounter on the state highway? In this world, I wouldn't want my teenagers driving without a cell phone and the greatest cellular phone service purchasable. The best answer is that we can try to be more enlightened, of when and how to carefully use a cell phone while driving. A few things to keep thinking about ...

Catherine Duke, B.S.

Other Resources
There are many cell phone plans and deals attainable from the top mobile carriers like Nextel. Be sure to consider Cricket wireless phones, Cingular wireless phones, Verizon cell phone deals and Nextel mobile phones. Certainly you may find additional mobile phone plans and services however these are a select few of the largest cellular phone carriers.