The Office of Traffic Safety and the California Highway Patrol released a new study last month showing a 39 percent increase in the percentage of California drivers seen using a cell phone while driving. Office of Traffic Safety Director Ronda Craft stated:
It’s shocking that nearly 10 percent of motorists were observed using their cell phones while driving a motor vehicle, a potentially lethal combination. We will continue our aggressive public outreach campaign and our partnership with law enforcement to educate the public about the dangers of those who drive distracted and put the lives of others at risk.
During the study, which was conducted by the Office of Traffic Safety and the University of California, Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, researchers observed motorist behavior. This year, 9.2 percent of motorists were spotted using a cell phone while driving, up from 6.6 percent of drivers in 2014. The highest level recorded since research began was 10.8 percent of motorists using a cell phone in 2012.
If you doubt that cell phone use has increased, I suggest you observe cars on any interstate highway in America. You will see first-hand that a huge number of persons use cell phones while driving. Actually, you will find the same situation to be true on all highways, including city streets.
