http://www.distraction.gov/downloads/pdfs/Distracted_Driving_2013_Research_note.pdf
Government’s own data:
2010:
5,419,000 crashes total, 30,296 fatal crashes, 2993 due to distracted drivers, 366 fatal crashes involving cell phones.
Of total crashes, chance of being killed in an accident involving a cell phone: 7/1000ths of 1 percent, or, 0.0000675
2011:
Same numbers, 5,338,009 / 29,867 / 3047 / 354
Of total accidents, chance of being killed in an accident involving a cell phone: 7/1000ths of 1 percent, or, 0.0000663
2012
5,615,000 / 31,006 / 3098 / 380
Of total accidents, chances of being killed in an accident involving a cell phone: 7/1000ths of 1 percent, or, 0.0000676
2013
5,687,000 / 30,057 / 2910 / 411
Of total accidents, chances of being killed in an accident involving a cell phone: 7/1000ths of 1 percent, or, 0.0000722
All these odds presume that you were in an accident in any given year. Chance of being killed in an accident involving a cell phone if you aren’t in any accidents in a given year? 0.00000
Pretty consistent numbers year over year.
The government is trying to tell a story with its statistics.
it is a revenue generator, if the govt calls it a safety issue the sheeple are all for it.
If they called it what it realy is , politicians would be light pole ornaments.
Still no reason to not pay attention when operating a motor vehicle.
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.