The New Tobacco

Long before cellphones became common, industry pioneers were aware of the risks of multitasking behind the wheel. Their hunches have been validated by many scientific studies showing the dangers of talking while driving and, more recently, of texting.

Despite the mounting evidence, the industry built itself into a $150 billion business in the United States largely by winning over a crucial customer: the driver.

So when do the lawsuits start? Because evidently the cellphone manufacturers are to blame for when 17-year-old Bree plows into another the car with the Chevy Tahoe her parents gave her for her birthday.