January 5, 2001
Results of the November 2000 WestTrack poll show:
Arizonans Favor Restrictions in Cell Phone Use while Driving
(Verbatim questions follow section)
Both cell phone users and non-users alike believe that use of phones while driving should be restricted. According to a recent survey conducted by WestGroup Research, 84 percent of Arizonans believe that drivers should not use cell phones while driving or use of phones should be restricted to “hands free” models while driving. Four of five cell phone owners (80%) hold these beliefs, as do almost nine of ten (88%) non-owners. Women (cell-phone users 83% and non-users 90%) and those age 50 years and older (cell-phone users 73% and non-users 90%) were most likely to favor restrictions.
Breaking down the numbers, 29 percent of Arizonans favored drivers using “hands free” phones while driving, while 55 percent favored no cell phone usage while driving. About one of eight Arizonans (13%) believe there should be no change in the law, (18 percent of cell phone owners, 8 percent of non-owners hold this belief). Three percent were undecided about this issue.
These results are consistent with findings from a September WestTrack survey, which showed that about one of eight (13%) of those surveyed felt people should be allowed to use any type of cell phone at any time when they are driving. About one third of the sample (32%) felt drivers should be allowed ‘hands free’ cell phone use while driving and more than half (53%) felt all types of cell phones should be banned for use while driving. Two percent were undecided about the issue.
Verbatim Question:
Many states are now considering laws that would limit the use of cell
phones while driving a car. Which of the following statements about cell
phones and driving do you most agree with?
- There should be no change in the laws,
people should be allowed to use cell phones at anytime while they drive.
- Drivers should be allowed use of “hands
free” cell phones as they drive, but cell phones that must be held
to be used should not be allowed for use while a person is driving.
- Cell phone usage should not be allowed while a person is driving a motor vehicle if drivers want to use a cell phone, they should pull over and stop their car.
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