Alberta Doctors Ask Drivers to Hang Up the Phone: AMA Supports Proposed Ban on Use of Cell Phones While Driving

"The AMA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the committee," explained President Dr. Darryl D. LaBuick. "There is sound scientific evidence that using a cell phone while driving can be extremely dangerous. It greatly increases your chance of a serious road crash resulting in a hospital stay. The consequences of serious collisions can last a lifetime. As physicians, we see truly tragic evidence of this every day in our practices."

Dr. LaBuick cited research that demonstrates the effects of driving while using a cell phone, including:

- Risk of collision increases four-to-six times

- Impairment is similar to driving with blood alcohol at the legal limit

- Reaction time slows by 18%

- Likelihood of failing to stop at a stop sign increases 10 times

He also noted that new research is beginning to measure the obvious dangers of text messaging behind the wheel, with up-to-400% more time spent with eyes off the road and a 140% increase in incorrect lane changes.

Dr. LaBuick pointed out that the Province of Alberta currently spends over one-third of its provincial program dollars on health care. By reducing injury and the resulting costs of health care services, this ban on cell phones while driving not only saves money for the system. "It also meets the objectives Alberta Health and Wellness set in its 2008-11 Business Plan. These call for 'strategies and policies for enhancing human health and safety and for reducing the risk of disease and injury.'"

He concluded by saying: "It's important to note that the Alberta Medical Association favors a total ban on cell-phone use while driving - hand-held and hands-free - because research shows that hands-free is not safer than hand-held. Although Bill 204 calls only for a ban on hand-held devices, we realize that sometimes change takes a while. This is an important first step toward what we hope will be a full ban in the future."

The Alberta Medical Association submission brief is available online at http://www.albertadoctors.org/TopicsofInterest/Index.

The AMA represents nearly 9,000 physicians, medical residents and medical students. With the vision of Patients First(R), the AMA stands as an advocate organization to provide leadership and support for the physician's role in the provision of quality health care. The AMA has been actively involved for more than 25 years in traffic safety issues such as seatbelt legislation, baby car seats, graduated drivers' licences and all terrain vehicle use by children.

Patients First(R) is a registered trademark of the Alberta Medical Association.

Website: www.albertadoctors.org