WHEATON, Ill.-The majority of cellular phone users acknowledge the dangers of driving while using their phones but continue do so anyway, according to a survey conducted for the Insurance Research Council.
The survey found that 84 percent of cellular phone owners believe using a phone while driving is a distraction and will increase the chance of an accident, but 61 percent of all users say they still use phones behind the wheel.
Younger cellular phone owners were less likely to consider such action a risk and were more likely to use their phones while driving. Half of wireless phone owners in the 18-24 age group said they frequently used their phones while driving, while only one-third of older groups claimed the same.
The IRC is an independent, not-for-profit firm founded by property-casualty organizations that provides information to parties involved in public policy issue affecting insurance companies and their customers.
Jeff Nelson, a spokesman for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, said he had not yet seen the report and therefore would not comment. But he said the group believes that whether or not a cell phone should be used while driving depends on the individual.
