Sticks and stones may break your bones, but a cell phone conversation could kill you.
According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning statistics, in 2006 talking on a cell phone contributed to 951 crashes in Michigan — four of which resulted in a fatality.
By comparison, drivers on medication contributed to 818 crashes and drivers that fell asleep at the wheel contributed to 1,165. Crashes from those conditions resulted in two fatalities each.
Alpena Police Department Community Services Officer Tim Marquardt said cell phone among drivers has become increasingly common, which isn’t a good thing.
“It’s just about general common sense,” he said. “Obviously it’s not a good idea.”
Marquardt said the conversation a driver is having can distract them from paying attention to the road. He said the noise from the conversation can distract drivers from hearing sirens on emergency vehicles, a problem often seen when drivers have their stereo turned up too high.
While the police department can’t ticket a driver for talking on a cell phone, drivers are ticketed when they fail to yield to emergency vehicles or break other traffic rules while distracted by their conversation.
A police car had even been involved in a crash when another vehicle struck the car while the driver was talking on a cell phone, Marquardt said.
The other obvious issue with using a cell phone is it takes one hand off the steering wheel which can affect driving ability, he said.
Drivers education teacher Jim Meddaugh said students are taught the dangers of cell phone use while driving during both segments of drivers education and again when a Michigan State Police officer speaks to them.
In 2006, drivers aged 16-19 were involved in 199 crashes in Alpena County, more than any other age group.
For several of its 2008 models, Ford has offered an option to reduce the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
Microsoft Sync is available in 12 vehicles in the Ford family, and Steve Vam, a sales representative at Dean Arbour Ford, said that number will triple next year.
The Sync system connects with most Bluetooth-capable cell phones and allows drivers to talk hands-free.
When a cell phone is hooked up to the system, the voice on the other end of the line is played through the car’s speakers. The software also offers audio text-messaging and voice dialing.
All the hands-free features make using Sync a safe option, Vam said.
“This is no more dangerous than talking to your passenger,” he said.
In addition to cell phone capabilities, Vam said the software allows drivers to change music using voice commands — which could help them keep their eyes on the road.
Ford will exclusively offer the software for a year and a half, but after that it could be in other company’s models, he said.
General Motors currently offers OnStar in all of its new cars and trucks.
Leaird Cameron, new car sales manager at Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet, said OnStar includes a GPS system, emergency call capabilities, and normal phone capabilities.
Cameron said customers like the service for its range of features.
“Not only for the phone system but its a safety feature too,” he said.
While there is capability for non-emergency calls to be made using the system, OnStar does not connect with an existing cell phone. A new vehicle comes with 30 minutes of talk time, and additional minutes can be purchased.
For those without the need, or budget, for a new vehicle, a hands-free device can be connected to a cell phone for a relatively low price.
Bill Kroll, manager of the AT&T Wireless store in Alpena, said wireless Bluetooth earpieces can be purchased from $20-$120.
He said teenage drivers don’t often buy the equipment because if their parents require them to pay for their phone they don’t want the added expense of a Bluetooth device.
He also said rarely hears parents request the devices for their teenage drivers.
”There’s options out there but a lot of people just don’t want to pay,” he said.
Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.
