Poll Shows Drivers Reluctant to Put Phones Down While Behind the Wheel

Kelley Blue Book, a leading provider of new car and used car information, recently reported the results of a kbb.com quick poll revealing distracted driver behaviors.

The latest poll shows that despite continuing warnings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the potential dangers of in-vehicle cell phone use, the average driver still seems reluctant to stop using one while on the road.

The recently completed kbb.com quick poll found that of nearly 7,700 online respondents, 22 percent admitted to having used a hand-held cell phone during the past 30 days, while 10 percent said they had used some form of hands-free/Bluetooth device.

Taking second spot on this distressing distinction list was eating while driving, which 21 percent of respondents pled guilty to, with texting while driving (13 percent), fiddling with the navigation system (12 percent), and using an iPod (seven percent) filling out the top five infractions.

Two other potential distraction creators -- engaging in various forms of on-the-fly personal grooming and reading e-mail -- accounted for less than five percent (each) of responses. Six percent of those who answered the poll said they had engaged in none of the above practices, while barely one percent claimed to have been guilty of all.

Read the complete KBB press release.

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NHTSA Says Traffic Fatalities are at a 60-year Low

The Washington Post reported today that deaths on America's highways have plunged to their lowest level in 60 years, as smarter designs make streets and vehicles safer and aggressive campaigns are waged against drunk and distracted drivers.

"The number of people killed dropped to 33,808 in 2009, a total 3,615 below the previous year. It was the lowest total since 1950 and marked the fourth consecutive year highway fatalities have declined since 2005, when 39,252 people died. Motorcycle deaths were down by 16 percent, the first decline in 11 years.

"The fatality count was lower in the District, Maryland and Virginia, and all but nine other states, according to a report scheduled to be issued Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which compiles annual statistics gathered from each state."

Read the full article.

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