Driving While Phoning? Top 10 Excuses

Motorists getting distracted by holding a cellphone in one hand and making or receiving calls while driving is a common problem in the United States.

A survey conducted by State Farm in November 2010 found that 74 percent of motorists reported making or receiving calls at least once a week while driving.

Canada apparently has the same problem. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Canadian auto insurer, with help from local police, compiled a list of the top 10 excuses from local motorists when they were caught using handheld cellphones while driving.

The top 10 excuses were found to be:

1. This is a bogus law.
2. It was my boss on the phone — I had to answer it.
3. I wasn’t using it — I just like to hold it.
4. Sorry officer, I didn’t see you trying to pull me over because I was on my phone.
5. But it was an emergency call to my wedding planner.
6. My Bluetooth died.
7. Driver: I’m using my speakerphone. Police officer: No, you’re holding your phone in one hand and steering with the other.
8. I’m not driving; I was stopped at a red light.
9. I wasn’t talking, I was checking my messages.
10. I was just checking the time.