阅读理解 WASHINGTON-More people than ever are driving under the influence of their cell phones, according to a survey published Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The survey showed 8 percent of drivers, or 1.2 million people, were using hand-held or hands-free cell phones, during daylight hours last year, a 50 percent increase since 2002 and a 100 percent rise in four years. All that talking is a potential safety problem, said NHTSA spokesman Pale Tyson."While we don' t have hard proof that there' s been an increase in the number of accidents, we know that talking on the phone can affect drivers' performance," he said. The District of Columbia and New Hampshire no longer allow talking on hand-held cell phones while driving, according to the Governors of the Highway Safety Association. Some communities, such as Brookline, Mass, and Santa Fe, require handsfree cell phones, but about a half-dozen states prevent local governments from limiting cell phones use in cars.Young drivers, between 16 and 24, increased their talking on cell phones by 60 percent between 2002 and 2004. The National Transportation Safety Board said it wants all 50 states to ban those with learners' permits from using cell phones or other wireless devices while driving.New Jersey and Maine are the only two states that have passed such laws. The survey was carried out between June 7 and July 11, 2005, at 1, 200 road sites across the country and, in some cases, done by telephone. |