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Tag: cellphones

  • Unleash Gaming Nirvana: TECNO’s POVA 6 Pro 5G!

    Unleash Gaming Nirvana: TECNO’s POVA 6 Pro 5G!

    Are you tired of your smartphone running out of juice right in the middle of your intense gaming sessions? Say goodbye to battery anxiety because TECNO has just dropped a bombshell at MWC Barcelona 2024 – the POVA 6 Pro 5G. This beast of a phone is not just about delivering a typical smartphone experience; it’s all about taking your gaming and entertainment to unprecedented levels. Let’s dive in and explore what makes the POVA 6 Pro 5G a game-changer.

    Unmatched Endurance: Power That Lasts

    Picture this: you’re in the heat of battle, on the verge of a game-winning move, and suddenly, your phone dies. Frustrating, right? Not anymore. With the TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G, you get a massive 6000mAh Mega battery that can power through 11+ hours of gaming, 14+ hours of video streaming, and 31+ hours of calling. And the best part? It’s not just about the size; it’s about longevity. The POVA 6 Pro 5G’s battery is designed to maintain 80% of its original performance even after six years of use, giving you peace of mind for the long haul.

    Sleek Design, Stunning Visuals

    Who says power has to come at the cost of style? The POVA 6 Pro 5G defies that notion with its sleek 7.88mm body and eye-catching Dynamic-Tech Design. Whether you opt for the Comet Green or Meteorite Grey variant, you’re guaranteed to turn heads. But it’s not just about looks; it’s about the immersive experience. The device’s upgraded MiniLED lights and mesmerizing Dynamic Light Effect create a personalized ambiance that enhances your gaming and entertainment sessions like never before.

    Gaming Nirvana: Performance Like Never Before

    When it comes to gaming, performance is paramount. The POVA 6 Pro 5G doesn’t disappoint, thanks to its MediaTek Dimensity 6080 5G processor and HyperEngine 3.0 Lite technology. Say goodbye to lag and hello to seamless gameplay. And with features like the 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Atmos support, and SuperCooled System, you’ll feel like you’re in the game, not just playing it. Plus, the E-Sports Pro Operation Engine and 4D Vibration Sense take your gaming experience to the next level, providing smoother, more tactile gameplay.

    Availability and Pricing: Bringing the Future to Your Hands

    Excited to get your hands on the TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G? You won’t have to wait long. The smartphone will debut in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and India by the end of February, with plans for a wider release across Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. As for pricing, TECNO hasn’t dropped the official numbers yet, but rest assured, you’ll get bang for your buck with the POVA 6 Pro 5G’s unmatched features and performance.

    In conclusion, the TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G isn’t just a smartphone; it’s a game-changer. With its unrivaled endurance, sleek design, powerhouse performance, and widespread availability, it’s set to revolutionize the way we game and entertain ourselves on the go. So, gear up, power up, and get ready to take your gaming experience beyond limits with the POVA 6 Pro 5G.

    Al Hilal

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  • Say Cheese: Meet the Xiaomi 14 Ultra! | Trendy Gadget

    Say Cheese: Meet the Xiaomi 14 Ultra! | Trendy Gadget

    In the bustling world of smartphones, Xiaomi has once again raised the bar with its latest flagship release, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Packed with cutting-edge features and innovative design elements, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra promises to revolutionize mobile imaging and redefine what users can expect from a smartphone.

    Professional Photography at Your Fingertips

    At the heart of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra lies its professional-grade quad-camera system, developed in collaboration with renowned optics company Leica. This powerhouse setup boasts a remarkable range of focal lengths, from 12mm to 120mm, ensuring that users can capture every moment with stunning clarity and precision.

    The main camera, featuring a stepless variable aperture ranging from ƒ/1.63 to ƒ/4.0, adapts seamlessly to any lighting condition, delivering breathtaking photos in any setting. Meanwhile, the inclusion of an ultra-large 1-inch LYT-900 image sensor with a dynamic range of up to 14EV ensures unparalleled image quality, even in challenging environments.

    But the Xiaomi 14 Ultra doesn’t stop there. With support for 8K video recording at 30fps on all four cameras, users can unleash their creativity and capture cinema-quality footage right from their smartphone. Whether it’s immersive landscapes or action-packed scenes, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra delivers stunning visuals with unparalleled clarity and detail.

    Cinematic Brilliance with Every Shot

    In addition to its impressive video capabilities, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra introduces a range of cinematic features designed to elevate your videography experience to new heights. With the new Movie mode, users can enjoy industry-standard practices such as a 2.39:1 aspect ratio and the 180° shutter rule, ensuring that every video captures the essence of true cinematic brilliance.

    Furthermore, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra‘s MasterCinema functionality takes HDR video recording to the next level, encoding videos in 10-bit Rec.2020 to capture richer details, highlights, and shadows. Combined with its advanced stabilization technology, users can expect smooth, professional-quality footage with every shot.

    Seamless Integration, Unparalleled Performance

    Beyond its imaging capabilities, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers a seamless user experience powered by the latest Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform. Boasting significant improvements in CPU and GPU performance compared to its predecessors, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra delivers unparalleled speed and efficiency, whether you’re multitasking or gaming on the go.

    But that’s not all – with the new Xiaomi IceLoop cooling system, users can enjoy sustained performance even under the most demanding conditions. Whether you’re capturing videos, engaging in real-time AI tasks, or gaming for hours on end, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra ensures smooth, lag-free performance every step of the way.

    Unleash Your Creativity with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra

    In summary, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is more than just a smartphone – it’s a powerful tool that empowers users to unleash their creativity and capture the world around them in ways they never thought possible. With its professional-grade camera system, cinematic features, and seamless performance, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra sets a new standard for mobile imaging excellence.

    Al Hilal

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  • 2/22: CBS Evening News

    2/22: CBS Evening News

    2/22: CBS Evening News – CBS News


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    Nationwide cell service outage impacts AT&T customers; Designer of first Black Barbie reflects on legacy

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  • Outage map shows where AT&T service was down for cellphone users across U.S.

    Outage map shows where AT&T service was down for cellphone users across U.S.

    Tens of thousands of AT&T customers reported problems with their cellphone service on Thursday morning, with a map of the outage showing people affected across the U.S.

    Customers of other networks also said they experienced problems, but rival carriers Verizon, T-Mobile and UScellular said their networks were operational and noted that their users were probably having difficulty reaching people on AT&T’s network. 

    At about 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, AT&T said it had made progress in restoring its network. By mid-afternoon, it said service had been fully restored.

    “We have restored wireless service to all our affected customers,” AT&T said in a statement at 3:10 p.m. ET. “We sincerely apologize to them. Keeping our customers connected remains our top priority, and we are taking steps to ensure our customers do not experience this again in the future.”

    Later Thursday night, the company attributed the outage to a software bug.

    “Based on our initial review, we believe that today’s outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack,” the company said on its website. “We are continuing our assessment of today’s outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve.”

    Here is a look at the areas that were affected during the outage.

    AT&T outage map

    Downdetector had about 40,000 reports of service issues from AT&T customers at around noon Eastern Time, down from a peak of more than 70,000 reports. Most of the complaints were focused on problems with mobile phones or wireless service. 

    Outages were highest in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, New York, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Indianapolis, according to Downdetector.

    What caused the AT&T outage?

    The company attributed the outage to a software bug. 

    The outage snarled 911 centers, with some law enforcement officials noting that some people were calling the emergency number to test whether their phones worked. 

    Officials urged people to refrain from calling 911 to test their phones. 

    “Many 911 centers in the state are getting flooded w/ calls from people trying to see if 911 works from their cellphone. Please do not do this,” the Massachusetts State Police wrote on X, the former Twitter.

    Taylor Johnston contributed to this report.

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  • Nationwide cell service outage impacts AT&T customers

    Nationwide cell service outage impacts AT&T customers

    Nationwide cell service outage impacts AT&T customers – CBS News


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    Tens of thousands of AT&T customers across the U.S. were impacted by a cell service outage Thursday. Jo Ling Kent reports.

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  • New app seeks to end iPhone-Android text color bubble divide

    New app seeks to end iPhone-Android text color bubble divide

    The ongoing divide between iPhone‘s blue text bubbles and Android‘s green ones has long been a source of frustration and humor among users.

    In Silicon Valley, entrepreneur Eric Migicovsky co-founded “Beeper Mini” in a converted garage, aiming to bridge the technological and social gaps between iPhone and Android users. The app allows Android users to join iMessage group chats in blue, appearing the same as iPhone users. 

    “What we’re trying to do is give people the freedom of choice. You should be able to download any software you want and be able to talk to any of your friends or family that you’d like,” said Migicovsky.

    It also promises encrypted messaging, a difference compared to the typical unencrypted texts exchanged between Androids and iPhones.

    “An unencrypted message is basically like a postcard. It means that anyone can read it. With Beeper Mini, though, all of your messages are encrypted. That means that Beeper can’t read your messages, Apple can’t read your messages, no one can,” he said.

    The creation of Beeper Mini wasn’t without its challenges. Deciphering Apple’s secretive code took years, finally cracked with the help of 16-year-old high schooler James Gill. The app’s launch saw over 100,000 Android users signing up within two days, eager to turn their green bubbles blue.

    Apple disabled the app 72 hours post-launch, citing significant risks to user security and privacy. The tech giant took measures to block techniques that exploit fake credentials for iMessage access.

    “So no one on earth had done what we’ve done and we’re not exactly sure why Apple hasn’t built an iMessage app for Android, because I think what we’ve shown is that it’s totally possible and you can do this but it’s definitely something that needed to exist.,” said Migicovsky.

    Despite Apple’s intervention, Beeper Mini has been operational, albeit with intermittent issues attributed to Apple’s actions. 

    Apple responded in a statement, telling CBS News: “These techniques posed a significant risk to user security and privacy. We took steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials in order to gain access to iMessage.”

    The situation escalated when a bipartisan group of lawmakers asked the Justice Department to investigate the matter. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee, and Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Ken Buck are involved, but both Apple and the DOJ have yet to comment on the letter.

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  • Students say their New York school’s cellphone ban helped improve their mental health

    Students say their New York school’s cellphone ban helped improve their mental health

    Newburgh, New York — At Newburgh Free Academy in New York, cell phones are locked away for the entire school day, including lunch.

    Students like Tyson Hill and Monique May say it is a relief after constantly being on their phones during the COVID-19 lockdown, when screen time among adolescents more than doubled, according to a study last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics.

    “I blame my darkest moments because of my phone,” Tyson told CBS News.

    May said phone and social media use during this time was entirely to blame for her mental health struggles.

    “All of it, for me personally,” May said.

    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 57% of high school girls in the U.S. felt persistently sad or hopeless during the pandemic, double that of boys.

    May disclosed she sometimes felt bullied or isolated after looking at social media.

    “Throughout my middle school experience, like there was a lot of people talking about you, whether it be on Snapchat, posting a story that made fun of the way you looked,” May said. “It made me feel depressed.”

    In May, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the effects of social media on youth mental health.

    “The youth mental health crisis is the defining public health issue of our time,” Murthy told CBS News. “If we do not address it with urgency, then I worry we will lose an entire generation of children to depression, anxiety and suicide.”

    Murthy said he would consider calling for “restrictions” on the use of smartphones during school hours.

    “I do think that we should have restrictions on phones in the school setting,” Murthy explained. “We fundamentally have to understand that these devices, and in particular social media, is behaving largely as addictive element.”

    Ebony Clark, assistant principal at Newburgh Free Academy, says banning phones has helped cut down on online bullying.

    “All I’m doing is giving them the opportunity to engage in school and leave the drama outside these doors,” Clark said.

    May said she’s experienced improvements in her mental health because of Newburgh’s phone restrictions.

    “I’m more confident in who I am,” May said. “And I think that just comes from not being able to worry about what other people are saying about me. Just being me.”

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  • How Canadians can save money on gas, grocery, cellphone and other home bills – MoneySense

    How Canadians can save money on gas, grocery, cellphone and other home bills – MoneySense

    Electricity and hydro savings tip: Are the lights on?

    You already turn off the lights when you leave a room or turn down the thermostat at night, right? In addition to that, Barry Walker, residential business development manager for efficiencyns.ca, says to check lightbulb packaging for LED wattage: “For example, it may read seven watts LED and say it’s equivalent to 60 watts of an incandescent light. So you’re only using a fraction of the energy to get the same amount of light.” He says that can save you 25% of the cost of lighting on your electricity bill. 

    Other cheap and cheerful ways to save on lighting and other energy costs: Buy motion sensors, smart power bars and electrical timers. “These are small things, but they’re inexpensive and they will pay for themselves very, very quickly.”

    Electricity and hydro savings tip: Consider a heat pump

    The biggest cost on Candians’ electricity bills is home heating, and heat pumps are becoming popular among Canadians because of government incentives to help with the costs. Walker installed a heat pump 20 years ago to replace his oil and electric heating in his 60-plus-year-old home in Halifax. “I’m a good old Scotsman and I kept every bill—my total energy costs dropped 40%,” he says. “I use thermal storage for my backup, and that heat pump is paying for itself three-fold now.” 

    Water savings tip: Get efficient 

    Plus, the heat pump can help save on the second biggest cost on your electricity: hot water. “Your payback will depend largely on the volume of hot water your household uses,” Walker says. “If you’ve got teenagers taking three showers a day, then the payback on that heat pump hot water tank will be fairly quick.” If a heat pump is too big of a commitment, you can opt for a more energy efficient hot water heater (even if you rent yours), says Walker. 

    Also, use cold water detergent to wash clothes and check for leaky taps. If you pay for municipal water, where you pay based on how much you use, that could be a sinkful of money a day going down the drain, he says. 

    How to save on internet and cable bills: Renegotiate service agreements

    Renegotiate or bundle internet and cable services, and examine your home insurance and auto insurance, suggests Scorgie. Also talk about usage, too. You might be in the wrong plan, as things have changed since 2020, and you might not need as much as you did during the lockdowns. Keehn says: “That’s hundreds of dollars a year. People may say, ‘But I’m going to have to sit on hold with the phone company for hours.’ Maybe you will, but just sit on hold while you’re watching Netflix,” she suggests. (Speaking of Netflix, here are the best streaming services in Canada.)

    How to save on cell phone bills: Check your bill and cut what you don’t need

    Check your phone bill: Has a signup bonus promotion expired because you forgot to renew it, resulting in higher fees? Are you paying for directory listings you don’t use? Those charges add up, notes Keehn. Also, look into family plans and getting rid of services you don’t use, like international calls for example. Also, in your settings, check for the apps that are running in the background, which can eat up a ton of data unknowingly when you’re out and about not connected to wifi. 

    How to save on car expenses and maintenance

    We don’t need to tell you that owning a vehicle is expensive. There’s maintenance, gas and more.

    Wendy Helfenbaum

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  • The 1 Thing You Should Do For A Happier Vacation This Summer

    The 1 Thing You Should Do For A Happier Vacation This Summer

    For most people, spending time on social media, checking emails or replying to texts isn’t exactly mood-boosting. If anything, it can feel like wasted time or even a disruption during social events. What’s more, when you’re on a vacation, whether solo, with friends or with family, time spent on your phone is even more of a waste.

    In fact, Ulko-Tammio, a Finnish island, announced that it’s a “phone-free island” for the summer months, according to CNN. The move is meant to help people make the most of their vacation.

    “We want to urge holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices and to stop and genuinely enjoy the islands,” Mats Selin, an expert in island tourism at Visit Kotka-Hamina, which encompasses the area of the island, said in a June press release published on the Visit Kotka-Hamina website.

    Experts say this small island is getting at something that’s actually really important: Our phones have the potential to totally take away from a trip.

    “If we’re just completely consumed by our device, then we’re not really being present. We’re somewhere else, you know … we’re having a virtual conversation with our friends, and we’re back in that drama, or, we’re just constantly being pulled back with work email,” Hilda Burke a psychotherapist based in London and author of “The Phone Addiction Workbook,” told HuffPost.

    “We’re not getting that really vital change of scene and different stimuli that I think is really the whole purpose of a holiday,” Burke said.

    You’re also not getting the part of a vacation that makes it refreshing, exciting and rejuvenating. “The whole purpose of changing our environment is to be exposed to something new, something different and to have those different neural pathways engaged,” she added.

    Instead, you’re stuck in your non-vacation life pattern. Carder Stout, a psychologist based in Los Angeles and the author of “We Are All Addicts,” stressed that the entire point of a vacation is to experience something new.

    If people are glued to their phones, “then it’s really just confirming that we don’t have the ability to expand ourselves and evolve and grow and have a new experience,” Strout told HuffPost. “And, also, the experience of being on vacation is really about enjoying one another, enjoying the experience.”

    But just because we know that being glued to our phone isn’t great, doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult to ditch it altogether. To help with that, the experts shared some tips for reducing your phone use on your next trip:

    Start small.

    You can still go on your phone on your vacation (it may be really stressful for you to totally turn it off), but using it less will help you have a more enjoyable trip.

    For example, Burke said instead of checking your phone first thing in the morning like you probably do on a regular weekday, simply check your phone a little later.

    “Have breakfast before you check your phone,” Burke suggested. Or power it down a few hours before bed instead of once you’re in bed.

    Behaviors like this can help create a vacation habit that maybe even spills into your day-to-day life, too.

    If you’re willing to spend even more time without your phone, Burke said you can try spending a day or afternoon away from your phone, like during a tour or on an excursion. Stout added that you can also set designated times for phone use, like checking it in the beginning of the day or at a certain time in the afternoon. This way, you’ll know you aren’t missing any important updates from family back home.

    Flashpop via Getty Images

    There are many ways you can limit your cellphone use on vacation, and it’s important to do so if you want to make memories and experience all that a place has to offer.

    Decouple the camera function from your phone.

    If you’re like most people, you rely on your smartphone for its camera during vacations, whether you’re snapping photos of your kids, your parents, attractions or yourself.

    This makes it hard to just leave your phone at your hotel on a trip. Stout said you can turn your phone on airplane mode when you go out, which will still give you access to your camera but will turn off those incoming messages and alerts. This way, you won’t be tempted to check texts or emails but can still snap photos of your family in a new place. (And, if you do end up needing your phone for directions or a translation app, you can toggle off airplane mode.)

    What’s more, Burke said those who have a physical camera can rely on that during their trip.

    “My cousin actually does this. If she goes on an excursion for a day, she will lock her phone up in the hotel lockbox and use a camera so that she can be really, really present,” Burke said. “So, decoupling the camera function I think from the phone can be really, really helpful.”

    Designate one person in your group as the ‘phone person’ for the day.

    Stout said between him and his wife, just one of them will bring their phone out for the day (and the phone is still switched on airplane mode).

    This can help reduce the risk of two people feeling pressure to check their phones and will also get rid of the potential of everyone in a group being stuck to their phones.

    Additionally, if you’re feeling anxious about getting lost without your maps app on a trip, this method allows you to still have access to a phone for any logistical needs.

    Put your phone out of sight.

    The adage “out of sight, out of mind” exists for a reason. Stout suggests putting your phone in a bag during times that should be designated for conversation, like during meals.

    “If phones are visible, there’s always the tendency to want to pick them up and look at them and, play with them, check social media,” Stout said.

    “If they’re not visible and they’re in a bag sort of locked away under the table during mealtime … that’s a great way to be able to enjoy conversation at lunch or at the dinner table,” he noted.

    Choose a lock screen that encourages you to put down your phone.

    According to Burke, you can use your lock screen as a reminder to limit your screen time.

    “The image on your lock screen, you use that like it’s advertising real estate to give yourself a message to remind yourself of what you’d rather be doing than being on your phone,” said Burke.

    That could be a picture of your family, a quote reminding you to be mindful or even a picture of an actual stop sign. Burke said it should be an image that makes you stop in your tracks and think about what you’re doing.

    “You may still go on your phone, but at least you’re making it conscious rather than kind of just scrolling mindlessly, just picking up your phone, not even being aware of what you’re doing, which is typical of addictive behavior,” Burke said.

    Additionally, this tactic harnesses the reality that you likely do frequently look at your phone but uses that reality in a productive and constructive way to try to limit phone use, she added.

    Consider turning off the Wi-Fi.

    This isn’t always an option — you can’t just turn off the Wi-Fi in a hotel, for instance — but, when possible, Stout said he recommends that you turn off the Wi-Fi at a set time — mainly if you’re staying at an Airbnb or similar home rental company.

    Stout said in his family, they turn off the Wi-Fi around 8 p.m. “So that sort of disables all of the screens in the environment, computers, even the television and our phones, and, at that time we put our phones away,” Stout said.

    After 8 p.m., they’ll enjoy the environment they’re in or have dinner. “We have a rule that we’re just not going to have screens be a part of the experience for us,” he said.

    Stout said if you have resistance from certain family members, like kids, for example, establish this rule ahead of time so they’re aware of the kind of vacation they’re about to embark on.

    Hack yourself and your phone so you can circumvent your instinct to check it constantly.

    SolStock via Getty Images

    Hack yourself and your phone so you can circumvent your instinct to check it constantly.

    Here’s why doing this is so important.

    “It’s very hard for anyone to be present when they have their phone and they’re focused on their phone,” Stout said. “And I’m sure that you’ve had the experience where you’ve been at a table and instead of people conversing with one another, they’re texting their friends on their phone.”

    Plus, when you’re on vacation and scrolling through photos, news and posts, you’re not allowing yourself to be present during a time that has likely cost you considerable money.

    “A change is as good as a break,” Burke said. “I think on holidays we’re not getting that change because it’s so similar — what we’re hearing and seeing and what we’re touching.”

    “If our senses are really being engaged by our smartphone and we’re not looking, we’re not smelling the amazing food, the smell of the flowers, the feel of the sand. If we’re not really engaging our senses, then we’re not present,” Burke continued. “You know? So, we may as well be at home if we’re just looking at the same stuff.”

    And, do you really want to be home instead of on your European vacation or cross-country road trip? No, probably not.

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  • Half of U.S. Drivers Say They Often Use Cellphones Behind the Wheel

    Half of U.S. Drivers Say They Often Use Cellphones Behind the Wheel

    By Cara Murez 

    HealthDay Reporter

    MONDAY, April 3, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Texting and driving can be deadly. Holding your phone in your hand to talk and surfing the internet while behind the wheel is dangerous, too.

    This is widely known, but a new survey finds that about half of all respondents still use an electronic device most or every time they drive.

    “I’d say it’s not as much surprising as it is frustrating,” said Adam Snider, a spokesman for the nonprofit Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), which wasn’t involved in the study but issued a news release after it was released. “Distracted driving is something that is incredibly pervasive.”

    In the survey, conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 2,000 licensed drivers were asked how much they agreed with dozens of statements designed with the Health Belief Model in mind.

    That model is described as a behavioral change theory developed to understand why some people don’t adopt a certain health behavior. It’s usually applied to illness or disease prevention, according to the study. 
     

    “I think the results from this study really help shed some light on the reasons why” people are still using their phones in their cars, said lead author Aimee Cox, a research associate with the IIHS.

    Cox said that appears to include “the need or the perceived need to respond to family or friends, the need for information, all these things that modern cellphones have really allowed us to do without thinking about it.”

    While distracted drivers are using their phones while driving because they don’t want to miss a call from their kids, for example, it’s also their family members who they say could motivate them to put the phones down. 
     

    “I think that provides a really unique opportunity to where if we can encourage that open and safe communication and dialogue, we can have teen drivers and kids encouraging their parents to practice safe driving behaviors and vice versa. I think it needs to go both ways,” Cox said.

    Distracted drivers killed at least 3,000 people in 2020, according to a statement issued by GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins. That was 8% of all traffic deaths.

    Another 400,000 people are injured each year, Snider said, but it may very well be higher, because it can be hard to prove that distracted driving caused a crash.

    “This is something that every person who gets behind the wheel has the power to turn off their phone, to put their phone down, to put it in the glove box, to connect through in-vehicle technologies,” Snider said.

    It takes about five seconds to read or send a text message, Snider noted. At 55 miles per hour, that’s 130 yards without once looking at the road, he said.

    You’re essentially driving the length of a football field, end zone to end zone, without once seeing the road, blindfolded, which is incredibly dangerous,” Snider said.

    Public awareness is important, he added.

    It took a long time to finally make drinking and driving socially unacceptable, he noted. Snider also pointed to the progress made in getting people to wear seatbelts. Public awareness campaigns and people encouraging each other are among the factors that eventually helped.

    “Thinking about seat belts, it can take a long time to have this culture change, but the safety impacts can be huge when we make it the expected norm that someone either buckles up or puts their phone down,” Snider said.

    An earlier analysis found that parents of children ages 18 and younger were among the top offenders of driving distracted, Cox said.

    “That was interesting, but, again, not surprising because you’re managing a busy lifestyle,” Cox said.

    Among the questions researchers posed to those surveyed: What impact it would have if their family or friends reminded them that they could hurt or kill someone with distracted driving.

    “Those were all messages that people indicated in our sample that if they heard from someone that they cared about saying those sorts of things to them, that would be really motivating,” Cox said.

    Those surveyed also said they could be motivated by policy changes, including increased and tougher enforcement of distracted driving laws. A majority also said they would support this, not just be motivated by it.

    “There’s not just one easy fix,” Cox said. “We’re going to have to increase threat perceptions and find solutions to the common barriers, while also implementing these cues to actions like communicating with family and friends or these policy-level cues.”
     

    It’s not just drivers and their passengers who are being injured or killed because of distracted driving, Snider said. It’s also pedestrians and bicyclists.

    “Everyone can play a role in this. This is not a problem that’s unsolvable,” Snider said.
     

    More information

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has more on traffic deaths.

     

    SOURCES: Aimee Cox, MPH, research associate, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Arlington, Va.; Adam Snider, BA, director of communications, Governors Highway Safety Association, Washington, D.C.; “Applying the Health Belief Model to Mobile Device Distracted Driving,” March 2023

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