Driver cell phone usage up despite obvious dangers

SACRAMENTO – Despite the well-known dangers of distracted driving, the number of California drivers who use mobile devices while they drive is on the rise.

In a study conducted by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) in April 2016, at least 12.8 percent of California drivers were observed using a mobile device during the day, up from 9.2 percent in 2015 and eclipsing the previous high of 10.8 percent in 2013.

Due to the difficulty of observing mobile device use in a vehicle, these figures are considered minimums, with actual usage likely several points higher.

“These latest numbers ar...