The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration has reported that 25% of all car accidents, that is one quarter of all car accidents, are caused by distractions on the road. One of the greatest offenders for distractions on the road is a cell phone. Some more statistics; Cell phone use is responsible for 636,000 car accidents, 330,000 injuries, 2,600 deaths and $43 billion in related costs every year.

Handheld cell phones have been banned in a number of states, cities, and counties. However, this usually doesn’t stop their use. Here are a few tips for avoiding car accidents caused by cell phone use for you and your family.

1. Make a Hands Free Set Your Gift Priority

If you have a gifting holiday of any kind coming up for a family member or friend that you know uses a cell phone, find out what model of phone they have and buy them a hands free car kit. Offer to install it for them as well. You may just be saving their lives with this gift that will generally run you under $100.00. In addition, many smart phones now include music options, so they’ll be thinking of you while they’re humming along to their favorite tunes in the car. Even those ardently against hands free laws will find themselves using it if you install it for them.

2. Go Hands Free Yourself

It goes without saying, but either install a hands free set or turn off the phone in the car. This is especially important if you have a job that involves traveling or extensive use of your cellphone. If you don’t feel that you can manage such an installation, many auto service centers will be happy to do this service for you.

3. Avoid Erratic Drivers

It is often very easy to spot cell phone handset users. They’re going too slow in the fast lane, not checking their blind spots during lane changes, and doing other things that clearly demonstrate that their attention is off the road. Try not to get stuck behind one of these people and get out of their lane as soon as you safely can.

4. Educate Your Friends, Co-Workers, and Family

Start a conversation around the water cooler about cell phone use and its effects on drivers. Share this article with friends and family. The more conversations you start, the more hearts and minds you’ll change on the subject. Try to avoid sounding pedantic, as most opponents of the hands free laws don’t appreciate the government, or anyone else for that matter, telling them what to do. Simply share the relevant statistics and let them make up their minds for themselves.

Auto accidents cause death and can take away your friends and family instantly. Staying off the cell phone and making sure that those you love talk hands free is a very small thing that you can do in order to prevent accidents and keep them safe.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident as a result of cell phone use while driving, the Personal Injury Attorneys at The Injury Law Clinic can help!  Call The Injury Law Clinic at 1-877-215-3LAW (3529) for a Free Consultation.