By JR Raphael
PC World
We’ve long heard about the dangers of using your cell phone while driving. Chatting or texting behind the wheel could be as bad as drunken driving, some studies have suggested. Now, a new report reveals America’s federal transportation safety agency wanted a total ban on all cell phone use for drivers &mash; including the use of hands-free headsets &mash; because of the risk.
Cell Phone Safety Recommendation
The report, created by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, was actually written in 2002 but kept under wraps until now. Two public interest groups were able to get ahold of the document as a result of a lawsuit citing the Freedom of Information Act. They released it publicly on Tuesday.
In the report, the NHTSA recommends that “drivers do not use [cell phone] devices when driving, except in an emergency.” As for the use of hands-free headsets, which some states currently require for in-car cell phone use, the group is quick to knock their safety down; the headsets, the NHTSA says, create as much of a crash risk as the hand-held devices do.
Full story: NHTSA: Drivers should not use devices when driving, except in an emergency