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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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21

Distracted Drivers Killed 5,800 in '08

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(Newser) – Accidents caused by distracted drivers killed at least 5,800 and injured another 515,000 last year, according to data pulled from police reports and presented today to Transportation Department conference on the issue. The actual figures may be significantly higher, say Transportation officials, since distraction is often hard to identify as a cause of a crash. Congress is considering laws that would limit what drivers can do behind the wheel, Reuters reports.

A ban on text-messaging has widespread support, but a cell phone ban is more controversial. While overall accidents fell last year, distracted driving was a growing cause, implicated in 16% of cases, up from 11% in 2004. Roughly 6% of drivers used their phones while driving in 2007, and another 1% texted on some other device.

Police examine a tow truck that drove into a swimming pool in Lockport, NY. Police said the driver was texting on one cell phone and talking on another when he hit a car and crashed into the pool.
Police examine a tow truck that drove into a swimming pool in Lockport, NY. Police said the driver was texting on one cell phone and talking on another when he hit a car and crashed into the pool.   (AP Photo/Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, Stephen Wallace)
An unidentified man talks on his cell phone as he drives in Lawrenceville, N.J. in this June 24, 2004 file photo.
An unidentified man talks on his cell phone as he drives in Lawrenceville, N.J. in this June 24, 2004 file photo.   (AP Photo/Daniel Hulshizer, File)
A man talks on his cell phone while driving in Los Angeles, Monday June 30, 2008.
A man talks on his cell phone while driving in Los Angeles, Monday June 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
A bill board that encourages people not to text while they drive is shown in the northside of Indianapolis, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.
A bill board that encourages people not to text while they drive is shown in the northside of Indianapolis, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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21 comments
VIEWING:
 
Timinator2K
Sep 30, 09 12:50 PM CDT
I get whacked by a moron texting/cellphone blabbing driver and he's okay, he won't be by the time the cops show up. "How did he choke to death on a cell phone?!" Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+14
IN RESPONSE:
BlahBlahBlah
Sep 30, 09 3:41 PM CDT
On this rare occasion you and I agree completely Tim. People need to actually drive while driving.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Sep 30, 09 5:47 PM CDT
Same here Tim, clown texting causes a wreck and I place my paws on his rear he is going to be bloody when 911 gets the call, total stupidity. Thus far we have train crashes due to texting, automobiles, whats next? 747's?
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
Timinator2K
Sep 30, 09 8:53 PM CDT
Reader64481089, don't call on a mega-texting/cell disaster! These dumbshitts are killer deadly enough as it is.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
pwnage
Sep 30, 09 12:50 PM CDT
A ban on Even Thinking about texting someone while driving might prevent even more distraction :-) Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7

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