Car crashes involving drivers losing their attention to cell phones add up to more than a quarter of all road mishaps in the US.
National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization committed to saving lives, has estimated that car accidents linked to cell phones are on the rise for three years in a row. They currently account for 27% of all the cases when taken together.
At the time of incident, the drivers were either found texting or talking over mobile phones on handheld and hands-free mode.
While crashes related to texting has risen from 5% to 6%, those involving telephonic conversation have remained at 21%.
National Safety Council president and CEO Deborah A.P. Hersman said: "The incredible connectivity enabled by technology has resulted in a very dangerous environment behind the wheel.
"While the public understands the risks associated with distracted driving, the data shows the behavior continues - we need better education, laws and enforcement to make our roads safer for everyone."
In terms of probability, texting puts life at jeopardy at least eight times and talking puts such risk four times.
Inputs from federal fatality data, observational data and research have formed the bases of the estimates.
Image: A driver uses two cell phones in New York. Photo: courtesy of Ed Poor.
