Cell phone talkers as bad as drunk drivers
More study participants rear-ended car while on cell phones than drunk


Updated: 6:24 p.m. CT June 29, 2006
WASHINGTON - People who talk on cell phones while driving, even using "hands-free" devices, are as impaired as drunk drivers, researchers said Thursday.
"If legislators really want to address driver distraction, then they should consider outlawing cell phone use while driving," said Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Utah who worked on the study.

The researchers used a driving simulation device for their study, published in the summer 2006 issue of Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

They studied 40 volunteers who used a driving simulator four times — while undistracted, using a handheld cell phone, using a hands-free cell phone and while intoxicated to a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level — the average legal level of impairment in the United States — after drinking vodka and orange juice.

Three study participants rear-ended the simulated car in front of them. All were talking on cellphones and none was drunk, the researchers said.
Motorists who talked on either handheld or hands-free cell phones drove slightly more slowly, were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes, and varied their speed more than undistracted drivers.

Drivers with an 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level drove a bit more slowly than both undistracted drivers and telephone users, yet more aggressively.
"Driving while talking on a cell phone is as bad as or maybe worse than driving drunk," said Drews, who said alcohol was involved in 40 percent of the 42,000 annual U.S. traffic fatalities.

Just like many people who have been drinking, the cell phone users did not believe themselves to be affected, the researchers found.



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13621877/

I've posted on the org while driving.

jerseykrs said:

This news is old. The study I saw said cell phone users were actually worse.

jerseykrs said:

Zackly.

"Frank Drews" can shove it up his ass. Next, they'll be outlawing driving while conversing with your passengers.

jerseykrs said:

HOT

INSATIABLE said:

come on, now. cell phones are distracting enough when you're not behind the wheel. it's different when there's someone else in the car talking to you.

i would say that if you use one of those headset things that make you look like a crazy person, that's KINDA okay as long as you're not a call-waiting fiend.

maybe there should be a restriction on people who commit traffic violations while talking on their cell phones. they can drive, but they can't use a cell in their car - ?

Anx said:

As a self-proclaimed champion multitasker, I realize that even we elite can get distracted, if the phone gets dropped or the earpiece falls out or the Bluetooth loses power--and there are times when it's only appropriate to pull over or continue your journey sans yapping.

Some people just canNOT operate a motor vehicle while using a phone, like my roommate. She tweaks out and can barely turn her steering wheel if it's her turn to flap her lips. I, on the other hand, am in the car hours per day and could balance my car on one wheel while making partyline calls in between ultility payments-by-phone. Attentiveness is priority and if I weren't clearly confident I'd restrain.

I usually use the Bluetooth or speakerphone, in which I hang my phone by the rear-view.

Anxiety said:

XxAxX said:[quote]Cell phone talkers as bad as drunk drivers
More study participants rear-ended car while on cell phones than drunk


Updated: 6:24 p.m. CT June 29, 2006
WASHINGTON - People who talk on cell phones while driving, even using "hands-free" devices, are as impaired as drunk drivers, researchers said Thursday.
"If legislators really want to address driver distraction, then they should consider outlawing cell phone use while driving," said Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Utah who worked on the study.

The researchers used a driving simulation device for their study, published in the summer 2006 issue of Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

They studied 40 volunteers who used a driving simulator four times — while undistracted, using a handheld cell phone, using a hands-free cell phone and while intoxicated to a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level — the average legal level of impairment in the United States — after drinking vodka and orange juice.

Three study participants rear-ended the simulated car in front of them. All were talking on cellphones and none was drunk, the researchers said.
Motorists who talked on either handheld or hands-free cell phones drove slightly more slowly, were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes, and varied their speed more than undistracted drivers.

Drivers with an 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level drove a bit more slowly than both undistracted drivers and telephone users, yet more aggressively.
"Driving while talking on a cell phone is as bad as or maybe worse than driving drunk," said Drews, who said alcohol was involved in 40 percent of the 42,000 annual U.S. traffic fatalities.

Just like many people who have been drinking, the cell phone users did not believe themselves to be affected, the researchers found.



I completely agree with this. I know of 3 people who have recently been in accidents and they have admitted to talking on the phone and never saw it coming. One minute they're driving and talking and the next they're on their way to the hospital in the back of an ambulance.

i blame cellphone talkers for the recent epidemic of "i don't have to signal my lane change or turn" that's swept minneapolis. they don't have a free hand so they simply don't bother.

XxAxX said:

I hear ya!

I hate to sound "my age", but people today don't know how to drive. I don't know who's giving out licenses, but many people that are behind the wheel shouldn't be. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt of killed.

kisscamille said:

i'm that age too.

i read another story about a study saying that people who talk on cells while they drive have the reaction time of an 80 year old.

XxAxX said:

It's a great age!!

i deplore people who talk on their cell phones while they drive. its an accident waiting to happen

kisscamille said:

yes it is! i hardly EVER misplace my dentures anymore