Reduce Cell Phone Use While Driving
Cell phones have become essential tools in our daily lives, especially on the road. From GPS navigation and music to staying connected and accessing emergency help, they can be your most important device. But when used behind the wheel, they can quickly shift from helpful to hazardous. Follow these tips to reduce unnecessary use and make your phone a safer companion while driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives in 2023.
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Take Control: Reduce Cell Phone Usage in the Car
There is no safe way to use a cell phone and drive. Be in control of your phone; it should serve you, not distract you. Here are practical ways to stay focused and safe:
- Keep your hands on the wheel and your attention on the road. Your number one priority should be the people who are with you in the car and arriving safely at your destination.
- Silence your phone or switch it to vibrate so you do not hear it when it rings. The best advice is to store it out of sight to avoid temptation.
- Before leaving, notify or text key people that you will be unreachable by phone for xx minutes/hours.
- Never check texts, emails, or make calls while behind the wheel, even when stopped at red lights.
- Be clear on your voicemail that you are a cell phone-free driver and you will return the call as soon as you can.
- If you are traveling with a passenger, let them take care of the phone so you can focus on driving.
- If you must make an emergency call, get off the road and park in a safe spot.
- Most importantly, do not drive and use a cell phone while driving (that means no talking, emailing, texting on the phone while driving). If you must use it, drive to a safe area away from traffic.
Why Cell Phones Are Dangerous Behind the Wheel
Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. It dramatically reduces your ability to focus, react, and control your vehicle.
- Reading or sending a text takes about 5 seconds. Five seconds in which your eyes are off the road. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
- Texting while driving doubles the chance of a car accident.
- You are 6 times more likely to crash while texting than driving intoxicated.
- Teens who text while driving spend 10% of their time outside their lane.
- 74% of teens say their parents tell them not to text while driving—yet many parents still do.
- 19% of drivers admit to surfing the web while driving
- Distractions go beyond texting—social media, messaging apps, and streaming all pose serious risks.
- Research shows that handling multiple tasks while driving significantly raises the chances of being involved in a crash.
- Constantly shifting focus between tasks can lead to mental exhaustion, reducing overall driving performance.
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Cell Phone Etiquette: Respect Others, Stay Present
Modern technology has reshaped how we communicate, but courtesy still matters. Here are a few reminders for respectful cell phone use:
Avoid calls or texts during face-to-face conversations. Just because your cell phone is on does not mean you have to answer it immediately.- If you must accept a phone call, step away or outside and keep a distance of at least 10 feet from the nearest person.
- Use the silent or vibration mode if it must be on in public spaces, especially in theatres, restaurants, and other places where a ringing phone would be annoying.
- Do not use the speakerphone in public, especially during a private conversation.
- When accepting an emergency call, say “Excuse me.”
- Monitor the volume of your voice and speak in soft tones.
- Refrain from using your phone at inappropriate times, such as a job interview, while driving, when someone is talking to you, etc.
Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident?
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall, or other accident caused by someone else’s negligence—including distracted driving—our team is here to help.
Call Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284-6600 for a free, no-obligation case review. One of our experienced personal injury attorneys will speak with you personally and help you understand your legal options.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published July 9, 2021. It was reviewed on April 4, 2023, updated for content and accuracy, and re-published. Most recent editing, September 29, 2025.
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