Smart Devices, Not-So-Smart Users

"Cell phones and smartphones continue to pose a serious threat to American motorists. A study conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) sifted through the data of 350 scientific papers on the subject and has concluded that drivers are distracted from the primary task of piloting their vehicle by one thing or another up to half the time.

Using a cell phone at all raises the chances that a driver will cause an accident. Sending text messages, or texting, while driving is even riskier than using a phone to make calls while driving. The GHSA estimates that distractions account for between 15% and 25% of all crashes, which range from minor fender-benders to accidents involving fatalities.

'Despite all that has been written about driver distraction, there is still a lot that we do not know,' GHSA executive director Barbara Harsha said in a statement. 'Clearly, more studies need to be done addressing both the scope of the problem and how to effectively address it.'"