[Smokin' Joe]

Let's try a different calculation, shall we?

2010:

30,296 fatal crashes, 366 involving cell phones

1.208027%

2011:

29,867 fatal crashes, 354 involving cell phones

1.185255% 2012:

31,006 fatal crashes, 380 involving cell phones

1.225569%

2013:

30,057 fatal crashes, 411 involving cell phones

1.367402%

If you take the number of fatal crashes involving cell phone use, there is an increase, albeit not completely consistent. Some researchers will interpret this to mean that the most serious crashes are increasing as a result of texting or other cell phone use.

The whole study is vulnerable to data collection omissions.

I do think, for most of us who watch other drivers near us who pull boneheaded traffic maneuvers, you will find that a cell phone was involved or in use by the driver who made the error.

Having spent years on motorcycles, I learned to watch front wheels and drivers to tell me the likely action to be taken by any given driver. That has not failed me on four or more wheels, either.

Considering the justification for charging cigarette smokers higher insurance rates was that the cigarette would distract the driver (lighting, using the ashtray, putting it out, possibly dropping the cigarette or knocking the fire off), I think that particular instance lowered the bar for distraction way beyond what the actions and distraction level of the active smartphone user are. I have observed people walking and texting step into holes and fall flat on their face. It is no great stride to accept that involvement in something on the phone could lead to an accident.

[ziravan]

Ah, but see, the point you are making to counter my point actually mirrors it, and that point is that what is being presented as statistics is being heavily manipulated.

Let’s look at this from a different angle, your right to bear arms comes at a price. I do not need to manipulate data to prove that. Accidental gun deaths do happen.

Should we therefore heavily regulate guns?

But wait, it’s your 2A right to bear arms, or more to the point, your God given natural right to defend yourself.

But talking is a 1A right, yes? Oh I know, you say, it’s not the same.....

But more important, should we give, allow, or desire government micromanaging of our lives?

You have a 1:62 chance of being in a car accident this year. If you are, then you have a 1/7000th of 1% chance of dying by cell phone distraction, roughly 8 people per average state per year.

Is that enough for it to be OK for the government to regulate your life?

[chrisser]

I learned to watch front wheels and drivers to tell me the likely action to be taken by any given driver.

I'm partial to four wheels, but I learned the same thing years ago and it's invaluable. Especially when someone is stopped perpendicularly and there's the possibility of them pulling out in front of you. The amount of rotation in the front wheels is far more detectable to your eyes than the forward movement of the vehicle and can give you precious time to process the situation.