Motorists drive and talk on phone — but know it's dangerous, poll finds

By Susan Gilmore
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Most Washington drivers say using cellphones while driving is unsafe, but about a quarter surveyed in a statewide poll admit that they drive with phones to their ears anyway.

The poll of 600 Washington residents, conducted in December by Market Trends of Seattle, found 69 percent believe using a cellphone while driving is dangerous, and 40 percent said it is very dangerous.

Still, 27 percent of Washington drivers say they use cellphones while driving, even though they believe it's dangerous.

"When you don't have both hands on the wheel, there's no way you're giving full attention to driving," said Jon Osterberg, spokesman for PEMCO Insurance, which paid for the poll. "Many drivers sacrifice their better judgment for convenience."

That's why PEMCO established guidelines last July prohibiting its employees from using cellphones while driving. The company installed hands-free phones on claims vehicles.

The poll found that 58 percent of Washington drivers say they have talked on a cellphone while driving, higher than a 2001 national Harris poll in which only 43 percent of drivers admitted doing so.

The survey found that drivers who earn more than $75,000 a year are much more likely than others to use a cellphone while driving.

"Busy professionals and people with families seem to spend the most time on a cellphone while driving," said Osterberg, whose company insures 310,000 drivers in Washington. "They should be the most aware of the distraction danger."

At 74 percent, those with children under 18 are also frequent users of cellphones while driving.

More men than women use cellphones on the road, and women are more likely to see it as very dangerous, according to the poll. The most highly educated are much more likely to use cellphones behind the wheel than those with limited education: 70 percent of college graduates vs. 41 percent of those with no college.

SURVEY Washington drivers Select the answers that apply to you. I talk on the phone while driving I don't talk on the phone while driving Talking on the phone while driving is dangerous Talking on the phone while driving is NOT dangerous Talking on a cell phone while driving should be illegal View Results

Younger drivers are much more likely than older drivers to talk on a cellphone while driving. While 76 percent of those from 18 to 34 admit to talking on phones while driving, only 35 percent of those over 55 say they do. Older drivers are also much more likely to say talking on cellphones while driving is very dangerous.

When asked about receiving calls while driving, 80 percent said they answer only necessary calls, 73 percent said they tell callers they're driving and just 45 percent pull over to answer or make a call.

In other poll findings:

• King County drivers are among the highest users of cellphones while driving, at 60 percent. Statewide, the highest percentage is in Cowlitz County, at 88 percent, and the lowest is in Grant County, 35 percent.

• Households without children are the most likely to consider using cellphones while driving as very dangerous; they're also the least likely to dial while driving.

• Older drivers are the most likely group to pull over to answer or make a cellphone call; the youngest drivers are the least likely.

The poll has a margin of error of four percentage points, meaning there is a 95 percent probability that the results of this survey are within four percentage points of the results that would have been obtained had all adults in the region been interviewed.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com

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