Two-thirds of adults use a cell phone while driving with kids

BY: EMILY SUTHERLIN

Almost two-thirds of adults use a cell phone while driving with kids in the car, and one-third text, according to a new survey, Medical News Today reported Saturday.

In 2011, there were about 3,300 deaths and 400,000 injuries nationwide as a result of crashes due to distracted driving. Currently, the number one cause of driver distraction collisions is the use of cell phones.

The research was conducted by experts in theTraining, Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) program at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

The online survey, referred to as the Adult Cell Phone Survey, examined the driving habits of residents between the ages of 30 and 64 who were living in San Diego County and was conducted February 8, 2013 through March 31, 2013.

The survey was completed by 715 volunteers - the majority were female (75%), two-thirds were married, and were 46-years-old on average.

The results of 512 subjects who drive about one to two hours each day and use cell phones for calling, texting, or other uses revealed that:

• 30% ranged from sometimes to often, 53% rarely, 17% never
• 56% drive with a handheld phone and 92% drive with a hands-free phone

Results of the 261 volunteers who drive with kids younger than 11-years-old in the car showed that:

• 65% drive with a cell phone
• 36% text

Results of the 193 participants with children 12 to 17-years-old in the car indicated that:

• 63% use a phone while driving
• 31% text

The findings emphasize the dangerous behavior of adults driving distracted, particularly when kids are in the car, exposing themselves as well as the kids at a higher risk of a collision.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the leading source of information for adolescent drivers is their parents, explained Freddy Santos, corporate relations manager with Allstate.

examiner.com