Dangers of Conversation Cell phone use has grown dramatically in
recently years. In 1995, cell phone subscriptions covered only
11% of the United States population; in 2010, that number grew
to 93%. This has led to a substantial increase in cell phone use
while driving and distracted driving-related deaths. Talking on
a cell phone while driving requires the brain to multitask—a
process it cannot do safely while driving. While a growing
number of drivers are turning to hands-free devices, studies
show hands-free devices provide no safety benefit. The area of
the brain responsible for processing moving visual information—a
vital part of driving—has 37% less capacity to gather and
process critical driving data and instead focuses on the cell
phone conversation. It’s the conversation, not the device, that
creates the danger. Almost 70% of the respondents to the 2010
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey reported talking on a
cell phone while driving in the previous 30 days, yet nearly 2
in 3 drivers say that d