STAMFORD, Connecticut, United States—Respondents in a study conducted by Gartner said an average of 49.5 percent of their cellular phone calls are placed from a car while driving, although this number has decreased during the past few years as handheld phones have become more popular than traditional car phones.
In addition, 88 percent of respondents claimed they are somewhat to extremely concerned about drivers holding cellular phones in moving automobiles.
“Mobile phones give people a sense of security and added convenience and are becoming an inherent part of people’s lives,” said Phillip Redman, research director for Gartner’s networking group. “Companies need to educate their employees on the risks of using cell phones in their cars. We tell clients who purchase mobile phones for their employees to stress to these workers that the company does not condone the use of these phones while driving.”
The study indicated the home was the second-most-popular place from which to place a cell-phone call, followed by the office. Other locations included airports, restaurants and hotels, which accounted for a combined average of 24.8 percent of mobile-phone call originations.
