Cell Phones Can Lead to Accidents, Higher Auto Insurance Rates

Talking on cell phones and hands-free devices puts consumers at greater risk for accidents that can cause injury and lead to higher auto insurance costs.

According to documents obtained by Public Citizen and the Center for Auto Safety, the government apparently determined in 2003 that cell phones and hands-free devices both led to potentially dangerous "inattention blindness" that caused drivers to be distracted.

The group also said that those who use hands-free devices are statistically more likely to have more frequent conversations that last for longer periods of time. The documents were apparently obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

According to Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety, the government studies "showed that all cell phone use is as hazardous as drinking and driving."

A number of states have taken steps to regulate cell phone use and texting by drivers, in some cases allowing hands-free headsets as an acceptable alternative. Still, the new report may convince some drivers that they're more likely to avoid accidents and high auto insurance rates if they wait until they're pulled over to make a call.