My two cents is that handfree calls are just as bad. It's the act of talking to someone on the phone, not using one hand, that gets people distracted. I can eat, drink, and smoke while I drive without the slightest hitch. But try to talk on the phone, and it gets really difficult to keep my focus on the road. A conversation requires a certain degree of "being in the moment," which can take away your focus at an inopportune time.
2 guys at work talking the other day. one guy brought up that there was an accident in town here. they other said his girl friend( whos an RN) stopped and helped but cant tell anyone anything due to confidetially BS. the guy that brought the topic up said the car had one heck of a encaved rear bumper. car probly turned out not seeing the bike. one of them mentioned that the front end and the bike was laying seperate in the ditch, front end must have sheered right off.
2 years ago last may my Girlfriends brother in law was involved in an accident. The crash occurred on a winding stretch of Highway 128 near the Sonoma/Napa county line. not sure if it was his fault or the other drivers fault. the car driver fled the scene so it became a hit and run. The case is "closed pending further information". Cully was on his way home after a ride up the 128 when the accident happened . be careful out there. and ever vigilant on you rides. Dave