Use of Cellphones while Driving High in U.S.: CDC

The use of mobile phones while driving is common, and at the same time extremely risky. Though the notion that using a cellphone while driving isn't safe seems obvious, more than two-thirds of Americans still use their phones while behind the wheel.

Latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that most drivers in the U.S. used their cellphones to make calls, or read and send texts or emails while driving, when compared to their other counterparts in seven European countries.

The results, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, analyzed data from the 2011 EuroPNStyles and HealthStyles surveys. On analyzing the data, they noticed nearly 69 percent of American drivers talked on cellphones while driving within 30 days before they were being surveyed. Nearly 31 percent of the drivers read or sent texts or emails while behind the wheel.

Two types of self-reported distracted driving behavior was examined by the researchers that included: 'The use of cell phone while driving'; 'reading or sending text or e-mail while driving'. The researchers focused on drivers between the age group 18-64 from the U.S. and seven European countries namely Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

In the U.K., just 21 percent of drivers used cellphones while driving, and 15 percent drivers in Spain read or sent text messages.

"The cell phone can be a fatal distraction for those who use it while they drive," CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said in a press statement.  "Driving and dialing or texting don't mix. If you are driving, pull over to a safe place and stop before you use your cell phone."

In terms of using cellphones while driving, the researchers noticed no difference between men and women. A greater number of men and women between the age group 25-44 reported talking on cellphones while driving, and a higher percentage of men and women between the age group 18-34 reported reading or sending texts or email messages while driving.

Last month, nearly 3 states and the District of Columbia had imposed laws restricting teens or new drivers from the use of cellphones while driving. Several countries have put a ban on the use of cellphones while behind the wheel.

Data according to the U.S. government shows that in 2011, nearly 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver when compared to 3,267 deaths in 2010, reports GlobalPost.