Countries around the world are banning cellular phone usage during driving.
The reason for doing so is the high number of crashes attributed to cell phone use while driving.
According to research done by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, which installed behavior tracking devices in the vehicles of 241 individuals, distracted drivers are four times more likely to get into collisions than non-distracted drivers.
Cellular phones turn out to be one of the biggest sources of distractions for drivers, and have in fact caused many fatal accidents all over the world.
Various countries are taking steps to reduce road risks by banning cell phone usage while driving - this can have a direct impact on your car insurance rates and policies.
Cell Phone Usage Exceptions There are few exceptions on how you can use cell phones while driving.
They differ from country to country, and from state to state (or from province to province), but there are few universal characteristics: oCalls to 911 are allowed at all times in case of an emergency (or calls to various emergency services in countries other than US and Canada.
) oUsing a hands free wireless ear piece is allowed (not in all countries) oThe use of hand held cellular and transmitter devices is allowed for emergency personnel use.
oViewing display screens of devices that offer GPS services and turn-by-turn directions is allowed.
Countries that officially prohibit cell phone usage while driving: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Botswana, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India - New Delhi, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UK, Zimbabwe.
Note that in order to be included in the list, a country has to ban cellular phone usage in the car at least in one province / state.
For example, in Canada it is legal to drive and use a cell phone while driving in British Columbia, yet it is illegal in Ontario.
US States that prohibit cell phone usage during driving: Arkansas (partial), Arizona (partial), California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida (partial), Georgia (partial), Hawaii (partial), Illinois (partial), Iowa (Being debated), Louisiana (partial), Maine (partial), Massachusetts (partial), Minnesota (partial), New Hampshire (partial), New Jersey, New Mexico (partial), New York, North Carolina (Being debated), North Dakota (Being debated), Ohio (partial), Oregon (partial), Pennsylvania (partial), South Carolina (partial), Tennessee (partial), Virginia (partial), Washington.
Partial refers to fines, punishments and other measures taken by the state against the use of phones.
Partial means that though it is not illegal to use mobile phones while driving, some conditions apply; i.
e.
in case of an accident.
Cellular phone Usage in the Car and Your Auto Insurance Rates In countries, states / provinces where the use of cell phones while driving is illegal, getting caught using one can result in higher annual insurance rates.
The logic is the following - if you are caught using a cell phone and receive a ticket, you are now viewed as a higher risk driver since a considerable percentage of car crashes can be attributed to cell phone use while driving.
Insurance companies can now raise your rates if Federal / State / Provincial / Municipal legislations allow it, and consider it a factor.