Injury Prevention Unit

Contact Information
Injury Prevention
Division of Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
3530 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone:213-351-7847
Email: cli@ph.lacounty.gov


Driver Distraction - Mobile (Cell) Phones

Using a mobile phone while driving can incrase the risk of being involved in a collision by up to four times (Redelmeier & Tibshirani, 1997)

Having a mobile phone in your car is very useful for emergencies, however the facts below show how dangerous a mobile phone can be when used while driving:

What Are The Risks While Driving? What You Can Do?
  • Talking on a mobile phone while driving significantly reduces the driver's reaction times, visual search patterns, decision-making processes and their ability to control speed, throttle control and position on the road (Green et al, 1993; Reed & Green, 1999).
  1. If your mobile phone rings while you are driving, let voicemail answer. Call back when you are in a safe location.
  2. If you need to answer, tell them you are driving and you will call back or ask them to wait until you pull over to a safe location.
  3. If you need to make a call, pull over to a safe location.
  • The use of a hands-free device while driving is no safer than using a hand-held mobile phone (Mathews et al, 2003; Strayer & Johnston, 2001; Haigney, Taylor & Westerman, 2000; Redelmeier & Tibshirani, 1997).
  • Talking on a mobile phone while driving is just as distracting talking with a passenger or eating while driving. All are distracting (Jeness et al, 2002; RoSPA, 1997).

Cell Phone Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
On-Board Navigational Systems
Entertainment Systems
Personal Distraction (passengers, eating, make-up)
Driver Distraction Home
Motor Vehicle Home

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Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
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