COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A national group wants to keep you off the phone while you're driving.
The National Safety Council is pushing for an all-out ban on cell phones behind the wheel, but it may not be as simple as you'd think, NBC 4's Marshall McPeek reported.
The fast facts on cell phone user show more than 260 million Americans subscribed to a wireless communications device, and according to an insurance industry study, 73 percent of people talk on the cell phone while driving, with approximately 60 percent using a hands free device.
With more studies showing the dangers of such use, at least one group is calling for a ban.
The National Safety Council said that cell phone use contributes to more than 500,000 crashes every year, 2,600 deaths and more than $43 billion in damages.
In Ohio, the highway patrol said it doesn't keep statistics on crashes involving cel phones, instead having them listed as driver inattention.
The NSC said drunk driving is dangerous, and it's outlawed.
They think cell phones should be banned while driving, too.
"When you're just talking with the cell phone, that person isn't aware that you may be in high traffic, that it may be raining, snowing, etc." said Patricia Glasgow, of NSC.
In 2008, a bill was proposed in the Ohio General Assembly to ban texting while driving. It hasn't passed, but staffers told NBC 4 that legislators might be willing to consider the ban.
California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Washington and Washington D.C. already ban drivers from using hand-held phones. Hands-free phone usage is still permitted.
NSC said the seat belt requirement was a battle for years and it could take decades to convince drivers of the need for a cell phone ban.
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.
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