True Confessions: 8 of 10 Drivers in Washington Talk on Their Mobile Phone While Driving

SEATTLE, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As the more restrictive hands-free law enters into effect in our state tomorrow, residents revealed some dirty little secrets about their driving habits. Car Toys, the definitive authority on in-car wireless and hands free Bluetooth® solutions, released today a survey of Washington residents highlighting their driving behaviors and attitude towards the new law on the eve of this change. In the spirit of this change, Car Toys is offering procrastinators a free wired headset if they come into any of their Washington stores on Wednesday or Thursday this week.

The survey(1) found that 82 percent of respondents admit to driving with their mobile phone in hand. Why do they do it? More than one-third (35 percent) say it's because they're careful and only talk while stopped and/or in slow traffic. Nearly another third (32 percent) say it's sometimes necessary in emergency situations. In a sign that multi-tasking has become an inescapable way of life, the survey also found that for 16 percent of people, the time in their car is the only free time they get to make calls.

A Tough Habit to Break

Even though Washington State Patrol has made it clear that they will crack down on offenders with a $124 ticket starting this Thursday, nearly one in four of those surveyed (24 percent) say they will keep chatting and take their chances. What's more, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) remain unconcerned about receiving tickets for driving with their mobile phone in hand.

And according to the survey, Washingtonians are doing more than just talking on their phones. Nearly three quarters of those surveyed (74 percent) say they have eaten a meal behind the wheel. More than half (57 percent) have read a map, while another four out of every ten (42 percent) indicate they have sent text messages or emails from their phone while driving.

Mars and Venus in the Car

Perhaps not surprisingly, when it comes to other naughty driving habits, men and women tend to be guilty of very different transgressions. For example, 17 percent of men (vs. 10 percent of women) say they have flirted with another driver. Even more men (18 percent vs. 10 percent of women) readily admit to engaging in "amorous" activities while driving.  

But hold the phone – and a cheeseburger – because women are more likely to eat a meal while driving (77 percent vs. 70 percent of men). Women are also more likely to discipline their kids (30 percent vs. 22 percent of men) while behind the wheel.

So What Else Happens Behind the Wheel?

Do drivers feel that talking on a mobile phone is the most distracting driving activity? Not a chance. More than three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents feel that cleaning up a spill in the car while driving is more dangerous. Another 71 percent say trying to reach for something is more risky, while 67 percent say tending to a car full of kids is worse than talking with a phone to your ear. More than half (53 percent) of those surveyed say searching for a CD or specific song is more dangerous, while nearly half (47 percent) feel the same about disagreements with passengers in the car.

Mobile phone use might be the tip of the iceberg. The survey also found that if you ever talk on your phone while driving, then chances are you've participated in all of the above activities as well as others – such as taking photos (17 percent), applying makeup (17 percent), changing clothes (11 percent), playing with games or apps on your phone (5 percent), reading the newspaper (4 percent) or shaving (2 percent) compared to those who say they've never talked with their phone in hand while driving.

Additional survey results include:

• Lost in Talk: It's easy to forget just where – or how fast – you were going while holding a phone in hand. Drivers admit to missing their destination (14 percent) or driving well under (13 percent) or well over (10 percent) the speed limit. Most interesting, Eastsiders(2) are significantly more likely than Seattleites to admit they have not done any of these (71 percent vs. 57 percent).
• Supportive but Skeptical: Almost seven out of ten (69 percent) respondents support the new law and believe it's a good idea. However, 21 percent do not believe it will curb mobile phone use while driving. Those living in eastern Washington are almost twice as likely (30 percent vs. 18 percent) than those living in western Washington to believe the new law will help.
• No Talking, Texting for Teens: The overwhelming majority of respondents (87 percent) are in favor of the new law applying more stringently to kids under 18. Unless, of course, they are part of the 16 to 29 year-old demographic range where nearly one-third (30 percent) feel this legislation is unfair.
• A Piece of My Mind: Given the opportunity, respondents would most like to hold up a "Hang Up and Drive" sign in their window (24 percent) or cast a "hate stare" (16 percent) to the next driver they see with a mobile phone held to their ear.

The new law makes it a primary offense to hold a mobile phone to your ear while driving. This means a police officer can pull drivers over for just seeing them talking on their phone. Previously, an officer could only pull over drivers talking on a phone if they were committing another offense such as speeding or running a red light. But there's no need to damage your wallet or driving record with tickets.

"To help drivers stay safe and avoid the long arm of the law, we offer a wide variety of hands free accessories, from Bluetooth® headsets and visor mounts to dash mounted equipment – everything you need to steer clear of a $124 ticket," said Lara Murphy, Car Toys' Wireless Buyer. "What's more, if drivers already have a hands free device but don't know how to use it, they can stop by any Car Toys location and we'll get them hooked up and on their way."

About Car Toys

Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., Car Toys is the largest independent car audio and mobile entertainment retailer in America. Car Toys has 51 locations in cities across the western United States including Seattle and Spokane, Wash.; Portland and Salem, Ore.; Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Colo.; and Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas as well as an online store at www.CarToys.com. Additionally, Car Toys is one of the leading third-party purveyors of wireless phones and devices with four national carriers (Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Boost Mobile). Car Toys was founded in 1987 by current president and CEO, Dan Brettler.

(1) Survey conducted online by Epiphany Research between June 4-7, 2010 of 634 Washington state residents to understand their awareness and opinions of the new hands-free driving law that will go into effect June 10, 2010.

(2) Defined by Epiphany as those living on the east side of Lake Washington in communities such as Renton, Bellevue and Kirkland.

SOURCE Car Toys