The Media is now accusing Federal Government for having hid the data about harmful correlation between cellphone use and driving.The U.S government Federal government claims to have proof of the relationship between cell phones and accidents long back since 2002. but, obviously for political reasons, sat on this evidence. New York Times reports in a research dating from 2002 , that the highway safety researchers estimated that cellphone use by drivers caused around 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents over all in 2002.
The highway safety agency did a one-year study of 100 drivers in which cameras were placed inside their cars to monitor their driving habits. That study found that drivers talking with handheld devices while driving were at 1.3 times greater risk of an accident, while those who were dialing were at 3 times greater risk, than non-cell-phone-using drivers.
Researchers called for a broad study of 10,000 or more drivers but then realised that the US Congress would be angry with what the study showed. It also meant that the agency would have to lobby States which would make it unpopular and lead to cut backs on funding. The agency was also worried about stepping on the toes of drivers and the cell phone manufacturers.
The data was finally released yesterday in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by the Center for Auto Safety.
Tags:Safety while driving,Save driving tips,Mobile usage and driving,U.S Traffic rules,Cellphone using drivers,Accident statistics in U.S,New York Times, New York Times reports,Talking while driving statistics, Talking while driving accident statistics
