More Proof: Driving While Talking is Unsafe
Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:47AM EDT
See Comments (8)
If we needed more proof that talking on cell phones while driving is not the safest thing going, we've got it.
Brain activity needed to notice what's happening around you on the road is sharply reduced when talking on cell phones and driving, according to a psychologist who presented his study at the American Psychological Association meeting in New Orleans. USA Today reports David Strayer's findings after studying 500 drivers using driving machines:Â
• Hands-free phones pose the same hazards as handheld phones.
• When drivers look at objects on the road they are less likely to recall seeing them if they're on the phone at the same time.
• People in their twenties talking on cell phones have the same reaction time as 70-year-olds.
• Talking on a cell phone cuts a driver's brain activity in half in the areas of the brain needed for noticing traffic conditions around them
• Conversations with passengers reduce a driver's attention, too, but they aren't as unsafe as talking on a phone because passengers can help drivers by pointing out if they see imminent danger.
Strayer wonders about the quality of the decisions people who are trying to work while talking on the phone and driving are making. He knows they are driving slower and probably making their commutes longer.
I don't get work done talking on the phone in my car, but I am guilty of answering calls from my kids when I'm off on errands, calling home, or returning calls when I have some "free time" in my car.
Will studies like this change your driving and talking habits?
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2 Posted by dimail89 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse
In my contry, there is a rule that u may not use cell phones while driving, so this doesnt make a different for me. Dima(from Israel)
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3 Posted by michchick98 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:18PM EDT Report Abuse
The laws vary from state to state, unfortunately and although I am guilty of talking on my phone while driving, I do try to avoid it as much as possible, but I always use a hands free device. If I find the conversation is going to go on longer than it needs to, I will pull off into a parking lot or tell the person on the other end that I will call back when I am home or at my destination. I don't care who you are, no one is so important that they need to be constantly on the phone, especially while driving. Yes, cell phones are convenient, they help communicate with others, etc, but talking and driving is dangerous. I agree that there needs to be stricter laws in ALL states regarding this issue. I think in New York right now, if a cop sees someone talking on the phone while driving (without using a hands free device) that cop can pull the person over and give him/her a ticket.
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4 Posted by mjmorissette on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse
Ok I'm both ways on this one because I mean there are some people that talk on the phone and don't pay attention to the road but there are also a lot of people that don't. But it probably is more safe not to talk on the phone when your driving
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5 Posted by railgeek@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse
Although I agree that driving and talking on Cell phones is a very dangerous practice, I don't agree that legislation is the proper direction to take in order to repair this problem. I believe that the main problem is not talking on the cell phone, but driving while being distracted by anything, including a cell phone. This should be a responsibility of the driver to determine that they should be paying attention to driving first, and anything else is secondary while behind the wheel. We have frequently failed in teaching that simple fact to drivers. If we must legislate against cell phone use (which can have a time and place in the car, especially in an emergency) then you should also invoke similar penalties for those who eat and drive, read and drive, etc. There are many unnecessary distractions that cause accidents, and they aren't just caused by cell phones. Non-cell phone distractions are more frequent that you might think, and just as dangerous. Another option is to legislate against young drivers, who have not had the experience behind the wheel to know when to do what, against using cell phones while driving until a certain age. Learn how to drive properly first. Let me leave you with this thought. Police officers have used cell phones and been driving (sometimes in high speed chases) while talking on the radio or cell phones. They have a low frequency of wrecks, and they used this type of communications before cell phones were prevelant. Why don't we hear more about them having wrecks due to the inattention they cause? (Hint: It's because of EDUCATION AND TRAINING, and not legislation.)
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1 Posted by pippipup on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse
We have to change the laws concerning this ....as we discover drivers that are chatting on cell phones are as imparied as DUI's. We have solid proof now ....let's make some new laws concerning this. Highways are risky enough with things we can't control ....now with drivers having just another thing to take their minds off driving ....we all are at RISK! I read a sad story about a driver busy chatting on his cellphone that failed to hear an ambulance siren ....he is dead now. This is just one example of the many accidents caused by this needless habit!!