Mobile-phone use is more common among drivers in the 16 to 24 age group. Female drivers are more frequently seen text messaging or using hand-held devices.

2012 Data on Mobile Device Use While Driving

In February 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that a National Occupant Protection Use Survey found 1.5 percent of drivers were texting or visibly using mobile devices in 2012. Although not a significant difference, 1.3 percent of drivers participated in these activities in 2011. Overall mobile phone use among drivers remained relatively the same in 2012 at 5 percent.

Holding Cellphones to Ears

The 5 percent of drivers to hold mobile phones to their ears while driving in 2012 means that these drivers were operating about 660,000 vehicles in daylight. Drivers who were the most likely to do this were between the ages of 16 and 24, at 6 percent. By comparison, 5 percent of drivers between 25 and 69 did, and 1 percent of drivers age 70 and older did. Additionally, female drivers were more likely to use cellphones than male drivers.

Visibly Using Electronic Devices

The NOPUS also found that drivers between 16 and 24 were much more likely to be seen using hand-held devices behind the wheel than those in other age groups. Only 1.4 percent of drivers between 25 and 69 visibly used mobile devices, while almost no drivers age 70 and older did. Female drivers were nearly twice as likely to be seen using electronic devices as male drivers.

Nevada Law

Nevada bans the use of mobile phones while driving, including talking and text messaging. Authorities have the power to write drivers tickets solely for talking or texting on hand-held phones. Drivers who cause car accidents because of this are likely to be cited. If people are injured, the victims may reach out to an auto accident lawyer in Henderson for help seeking compensation.