Driving and Dialing Believed Dangerous But Should Not be Outlawed
10 October 2000
Driving and Dialing Believed Dangerous But Should Not be Outlawed, According to InsightExpress Survey
GREENWICH, Conn.--Oct. 10, 2000--While it seems that online consumers concede that cell phone use while driving is dangerous, many are not ready to have that right revoked, according to a recent survey by InsightExpress, the world's first fully automated, online market research service.Over 70 percent of the respondents believe cell phone use while driving is dangerous, with 20 percent choosing not to use a cell phone at all while driving. Of those who do choose to use a cell phone in the car, 55 percent feel that dialing a cell phone impairs concentration while driving, 27 percent have come close to or have had an accident while using a cell phone and 23 percent feel it is as dangerous as drunk driving.
However, when it comes to having the right to drive and dial, the majority of respondents (61percent) disagreed with the recent proposed legislation for a ban on cell phone use while driving, like the one being considered by the City of Chicago. Also, 54 percent disagreed with the view that the use of cell phones while driving should be regulated by the government.
"This is clearly a situation where people believe common sense, not government regulation, should be the guiding factor," states Charles Hamlin, President and COO of InsightExpress. "As 70 percent of users continue to drive while holding the phone, and only 5 percent use a `hands free' speaker microphone in their car, there is potentially an untapped market for car systems that would allow for drivers to keep their hands on the wheel."
The majority of those who are driving and dialing are talking with friends, according to InsightExpress. Fifty-five percent use it for pleasure, 22 percent use it for business and 20 percent use it for emergencies.
