Cell Phone Use While Driving: Risk Implications for Organizations

Cell phones and smartphones have become valuable tools for personal convenience and safety, as well as for conducting business and increasing productivity. In December 2013, the number of cell phone subscriber connections in the U.S. reached 335.6 million [4], representing a penetration level of more than 100% of the total U.S. population. In addition to personal convenience and safety, many people use their cell phones while driving, to leverage commute time. The latest U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) survey estimated that the percentage of vehicles whose drivers were using either handheld or hands-free phones was 9% at a typical daylight moment, and the percentage of drivers text-messaging or visibly using handheld devices increased significantly from 0.9% in 2010 to 1.3% in 2011 [16].