Citation

Huang D, Kapur AK, Ling P, Purssell R, Henneberry RJ, Champagne CR, Lee VK, Francescutti LH. CJEM 2010; 12(4): 365-376.

Affiliation

College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20650031

Abstract

Distracted driving caused by cellphone use is a significant source of needless injuries. These injuries place unnecessary financial burden, emotional stress and health care resource misuse on society. This paper states the Canadian Association of Emergency Physician's (CAEP's) position on cellphone use while driving. In recent years, numerous studies were conducted on the danger of cellphone use while driving. Research has shown that cellphone use while driving negatively impacts cognitive functions, visual fields, reaction time and overall driving performances. Some studies found that cellphone use is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Moreover, vehicle crash rates were shown to be significantly higher when drivers used cellphones. Countermeasures have been implemented in recent years. Over 50 countries worldwide have laws limiting the use of cellphones while driving. Six Canadian provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, currently have legislation prohibiting cellphone use. Other provinces are considering implementing similar bans. As emergency physicians, we must advocate for injury prevention. Cell phone related road traumas are avoidable. CAEP supports all measures to ban cellphone use while driving.


Keywords: Driver distraction;

Language: fr