Each year, 2,600 Americans die in 636,000 car crashes where at least one driver was using a cell phone at the time of the accident.  Another 12,000 people sustain serious injury.  It’s these sobering statistics that have prompted the National Safety Council (NSC) to initiate the call for a ban on any driver using a cell phone in any way at any place in the country.  Included in the ban are the hands-free devices that are exempt in several states that have banned drivers’ cell phone use already.

The NSC announcement, issued on Monday, January 12, also urges restrictions on the use of cell phones by drivers while conducting company business.  According to Janet Froetscher, “when you’re on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, your head is in the call, and not on your driving.”  Froetscher is president and CEO of NSC.

Recent studies on drivers’ cell phone usage, conducted by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis and other such groups, indicate as many as 6% of all vehicle crashes in the US involve a driver using a cell phone.

Cell phones currently are banned but hands-free devices are allowed while driving in Alaska, California, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Washington, and the District of Columbia.  Bans against texting while driving are gaining popularity across the country.  In 20 states, novice drivers face restrictions on cell phone use.  The ban desired by NSC will outlaw completely the use of both cell phones and hands-free devices by all drivers at all times.

While announcing the call for the ban, Froetscher acknowledged the ban could not be enacted over night and it may be somewhat difficult to enforce, especially at the beginning of the ban.  In response to arguments of difficulty enforcing laws using observation alone, she cites the success of bans against drunk and under-age driving and the requirement to use seat belts and booster seats.

In the meantime, the NSC has initiated an educational campaign targeting business owners and administrators about the risks they take when allowing drivers conducting company business to use cell phones while driving.  The council expects to promote its message in its defensive driving campaign, an endeavor that reaches 1.5 million drivers each year.