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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO AUTO, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
National Safety Council poll: 8 in 10 drivers mistakenly believe
hands-free cell phones are safer
ITASCA, Ill., April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New findings
from a National Safety Council public opinion poll indicate 80 percent
of drivers across America incorrectly believe that hands-free devices
are safer than using a handheld phone. More than 30 studies show
hands-free devices are no safer than handheld as the brain remains
distracted by the cell phone conversation. Of the poll participants
who admitted to using hands-free devices, 70 percent said they do so
for safety reasons.
"While many drivers honestly believe they are making the safe choice
by using a hands-free device, it's just not true," said David Teater,
senior director of Transportation Initiatives at the National Safety
Council. "The problem is the brain does not truly multi-task. Just
like you can't read a book and talk on the phone, you can't safely
operate a vehicle and talk on the phone. With some state laws focusing
on handheld bans and carmakers putting hands-free technology in
vehicles, no wonder people are confused."
Currently, no state or municipality has passed a law banning
hands-free use, but 12 states and the District of Columbia have passed
laws banning handheld cell phone use while driving. Further, an
increasing amount of vehicles are now equipped with dashboard
infotainment systems that allow drivers to make hands-free calls as
well as send text messages, email and update social media statuses.
The NSC poll found that 53 percent of respondents believe hands-free
devices must be safe to use if they are built into vehicles.
To debunk the hands-free myth, the Council has selected 'Hands-free is
not risk-free' for its April Distracted Driving Awareness Month
campaign. Help raise awareness by sharing the posters, fact sheets,
infographics and more available at nsc.org/handsfree. Take the pledge
to drive cell free at nsc.org/pledge.
About the National Safety Council Founded in 1913 and chartered by
Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit
organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and
deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through
leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this
mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected
officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact -
distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug
overdoses and Safe Communities.
Connect with NSC: Facebook- Twitter - LinkedIn - YouTube
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140401/DC95817-INFO
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130530/MM23334-b
SOURCE National Safety Council
-0- 04/01/2014
/CONTACT: Kathy Lane, Communications Director, Phone: (630) 775-2307
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140401/DC95817-INFO
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130530/MM23334-b
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.nsc.org
CO: National Safety Council
ST: Illinois
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SU: SVY NPT
PRN
-- DC95817 --
0000 04/01/2014 19:27:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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