47 percent of respondents feel that operating a cellular phone while driving without a hands-free accessory should be illegal.

MSN today announced the key findings of its June 2001 survey, revealing that 47 percent of respondents feel that operating a cellular phone while driving without a hands-free accessory should be illegal.

The MSN Fast Facts survey found that while 62 percent of those surveyed have not used a hands-free accessory, 54 percent would be willing to use one. In addition, 25 percent of respondents classified their level of cellular phone use while driving as moderate to high, and 25 percent said that using a cellular phone while driving has caused them to lose their concentration on the road. Twenty-eight percent of consumers indicated that they felt they have been put at risk of being in a crash as the result of another person using a cellular phone while driving. Ironically, 99 percent of the respondents said they have never been in or caused a crash while using a cellular phone.

"In a matter of seconds, a distracted driver can put himself or herself and others at risk," said Ann Job, consumer editor of Carpoint.com. "It's encouraging that so many consumers recognize this danger and are interested in hands-free accessories. But ultimately, the best way to lower the risk of distractions is for the driver to concentrate fully on the road."

When asked to classify the most distracting activities they have performed while driving, 64 percent picked changing their clothes, followed by applying make-up or shaving and reading or writing.

New York recently became the first state to outlaw the use of hand-held cellular phone use while driving, and 41 other states are considering similar legislation aimed at reducing the number of accidents.