Don't dial and drive

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a research brief on the increase in cell phone use while driving. Statistics from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) results found,

The 2005 rate translates into 974,000 vehicles on the road at any given daylight moment being driven by someone on a hand-held phone. It also translates into an estimated 10 percent of vehicles in the typical daylight moment whose driver is using some type of phone, whether hand-held or hands-free.

The 2005 survey found the incidence of drivers speaking with headsets almost doubled and it is estimated that "0.2 percent of drivers were dialing phones, checking PDAs, or otherwise manipulating some hand-held device while driving in 2005." Following these statistics, NHTSA's recommends:

The primary responsibility of the driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. The task of driving requires full attention and focus. Cell phone use can distract drivers from this task, risking harm to themselves and others. Therefore, the safest course of action is to refrain from using a cell phone while driving.

Currently three states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) and the District of Columbia ban the use of hand-held phones while driving.

Driver Cell Phone Use in 2005 - Overall Results
(available in pdf, 368 KB, from NHTSA)