Talking can kill!

Even if you’ve placed a used car for sale by owner ad, don’t pick up your phone if driving. Yes, it could be someone responding to your used car classifieds ad, however, we suggest you exercise caution!

“Drivers using cellular phones are four times as likely to get into a crash that can cause injuries serious enough to send them to the hospital, said an insurance study”.
(Source: www.washingtonpost.com Tuesday, July 12, 2005)

This is the reason why New York State passed a law banning the use of handheld cell phones for drivers. Other states are considering similar laws too.

The use of electronic devices such as cell phones, including hands-free, precipitated many crashes and near misses (Source: CNN/Money June 9, 2005).

In a recent Harvard study, the number of cell phone subscribers has grown from 94 million in 2000 to more than 128 million today. That explains why there are so many people who talk on the phone while driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 85 % of all cell phone customers talk on the phone while driving. It estimated that drivers talking on their phones cause 6 % of auto accidents each year. This total means 2,600 people will be killed and 330,000 will be injured in cell phone related car accidents this year.

Knowing these facts, why are many drivers still talking behind the wheel?

Most motorists consider the use of hands-free devices safe enough to make calls while driving. However, these devices create distraction and inattentive driving behavior. An NHTSA research report adds to other studies that suggest hands-free cell phone systems, do not deliver the safety benefits auto makers and legislators previously thought.

So, how do you drive and talk safely? Hard question that begs for an answer!
According to the NHTSA research report, devices such as head sets or voice-activated dialing led to longer dialing times than for hand-held phones. However, these delays offset the potential benefit of keeping both hands on the wheel.

This brings us back to the same question again: How do you drive and talk safely? AutoCrisis.com’s advice: Don’t drive and talk at the same time. If you must return the call immediately, exit the road and find a safe location where you can comfortably handle the call.
With all the calls you’ll get from your used car for sale by owner ad, let’s just hope you don’t spend all day, parked in a ‘safe spot’. Happy car selling!

© 2006 Autocrisis.com® All Rights Reserved.

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