Survey: One-fourth of Nevada Drivers Use Hand-Held Phones

A statewide survey shows 27 percent of Nevadans still use hand-held telephones while driving, despite a state law banning the practice that took effect Jan. 1.

University of Nevada, Reno, researchers say the third annual survey of Nevadans’ driving behavior and attitudes released also found 48 percent use hands-free phones while driving.

About 13 percent send text messages or emails while driving.

Fifty-six percent said their phone call usage while driving has stayed about the same, while 26 percent said it declined and 17 percent answered they had never used a phone while driving.

UNR’s Center for Research Design and Analysis conducted the telephone survey of 851 Nevadans in July – 38 percent of those on cellphones and the rest on traditional landlines.