We all know by now how chatting on mobile phones slows freeway traffic [1], and how mobile phones are actually more distracting than even the most chatty passenger [2]. To round it out, Amy McLean, who represents the AAA Foundation, contacted me with another interesting nugget of information regarding public conceptions of cell phone usage.

The AAA Foundation's Traffic Safety survey shows that two-thirds of Americans who use cell phones while driving, actually believe it is safer to talk on a hands-free cell phone than on a hand-held device. In addition, two other recent AAA Foundation surveys of the motoring public have found that:

• Over half of U.S. drivers admit to using a cell phone while driving.
• One in seven even admitted text messaging while driving in the past 30 days.
• Do as I say, not as I do: Despite survey respondents' belief that drivers using cell phones are a serious traffic safety problem, a large portion admit they at least occasionally talk on a cell phone while driving.

Also, if you are traveling over the holidays to see family and loved ones, you can also find a breakdown of laws by state at the AAA website [3].

Related Articles:
Mobile phone chat slows freeway traffic [4]
Study: Mobile phones are more distracting than chatty passengers [5]