Memphis, TN -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/17/2017 -- Phillip R. Langsdon, M.D., President of the Memphis Medical Society, is calling for Tennessee legislation to prohibit the sale of cell phones that do not have integrated and irremovable software that deactivates cell phone texting and web surfing in a moving vehicle.

The National Safety Council estimates there are 1.6 million car crashes per year during cell phone use.

There were 40,000 motor vehicle deaths in the U.S. in 2016; distracted drivers cause 26% of Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) related deaths. An AT&T survey in 2015 showed 61% of study participants admitted to reading, sending, or replying to cell phone texts while driving. Several thousand teens die each year due to texting. The statistics on the morbidity of car crashes goes beyond estimates on loss of life. It is estimated there were 330,000 injuries caused by texting; many of these can be severe and cause permanent life altering physical damage.

In addition, there has been a recent steady increase in MVA related fatalities in 2015 and 2016.

A State Farm study released in late 2012 found that among drivers age 18 to 29, almost half (48 percent) accessed the Internet on a cell phone while driving. One-third of those drivers (36 percent) read social media networks while driving. Almost half of those drivers (43 percent) checked their email while driving. Other age groups engaged in these activities less frequently.

*Car Crash Costs and Statistics

The software currently exists to deactivate texting and is available on many types of cell phones. However, this is a voluntary app or feature that must be turned on by the user. The Memphis Medical Society approved a resolution presentation to the Tennessee Medical Association requesting the state legislature to develop guidelines to enforce automated restricted texting and web surfing while a vehicle is moving.

The time has come for Tennessee to lead the way in legislating cell phone safety while driving.

About The Memphis Medical Society
The Memphis Medical Society is a professional membership organization for physicians. It was founded as the Shelby County Medical Society in 1876. The Memphis Medical Society currently has 2,215 members. Dr. Langsdon's contact information is below. Dr. Langsdon is available for interview upon request.

Phillip R. Langsdon, MD, FACS
President, Memphis Medical Society
Director, Southern Region, American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Professor & Chief Div. Facial Plastic Surgery, Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Univ. of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
7499 Poplar Pike Germantown, TN 38138
http://www.drlangsdon.com
901-755-6465