The University of Utah is at it again proving that the use of a cell phone while driving is dangerous.  "When people talk on the phone while driving they are four times more likely to get into an accident. Here we find another ... increase in this risk," said researcher Frank Drews of the University of Utah, citing previous research.  The researchers determined that testing drivers are six times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers that do not text while driving.

For this most recent study the researchers at the University of Utah placed drivers in a simulator without any distractions to get a baseline.  They then had the same drivers in the simulator but this time had the drivers texting to others in a separate room.  The results showed that text messaging drivers were slower to react to vehicles' brake lights ahead of them and were much more likely to drift into other lanes.  Furthermore, "Their response time to the onset of this braking light was delayed by about 20 percent, a significant delay in reaction time," Drews said.

Figures released by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this year showed more than 5,800 distracted driving deaths and 515,000 injuries in 2008.

Utah Bike Law is a law firm dedicated to representing injured motorcycle riders and their families. If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle crash in Utah we invite you to call for a free confidential consultation. There is no obligation and you are not charged any fees whatsoever unless we recover money for you.

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