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Driving impaired by cellphones

by ppeggy | March 7, 2008 at 08:34 am

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Here's a study by some University of Utah researchers that confirms what we all know. People's driving is affected when they're talking on cell phones. I've noticed a kind of vacant stare, the kind you get when you're talking to someone whose mind is elsewhere. I've also noticed the car jigging and jagging when the driver puts down or picks up the phone. This study found that driving is "impaired" by cell phone use in the same way that it is by alcohol use.

Motorists who use cellphones while driving aren't just dangerous, they're downright pokey, say researchers from the University of Utah. The psychology department conducted simulations of driving behaviour during cellphone conversations and found the average car speed slowed down by about 3.2 kilometres an hour while drivers chatted on a hands-free system. Yakking drivers were also more likely to gum up the works by following other plodding drivers instead of changing lanes. Earlier studies by the university showed cellphone users are slower to hit the brakes, slower to regain speed and drive with the acuity of someone legally impaired by alcohol. "At the end of the day, the average person's commute is longer because of that person who is on the cellphone right in front of them," says psychology professor Dave Strayer, leader of the research team.

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Rachel Nixon

at 08:58 on March 7th, 2008

It's been illegal in the UK since 2003 for people to use a handheld mobile phone while driving - though you still see countless people steering and talking at the same time, and I really wish they wouldn't. The car is one place where you shouldn't multi-task, I believe.

PEP

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:14 on March 7th, 2008

ppeggy, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Rachel, I agree with you. This is one of my favorite rants: cars are nothing more than land-bound guided missiles with explosives and other dangerous materials on board. That's it--and the laws of physics apply. Just a slight swerve, and tragedy can occur.

Factor in juggling a cellphone (one hand off the wheel), being distractd with that, and you turn driving into a craps shoot for you and everyone around you.

One day I wound up directing traffic for almost half an hour at one of our busiest spots during our rush hour (the accident happened in front of my bank, I was there, and traffic was about to get dangerous plus the scene needed to be kept clear). The biggest problem I had--getting and keeping the attention of people using cellphones. Really.

I think that anyone seen driving and using a cellphone should be ticketed immediately, with points against the license (i.e. the insurance then goes up, too). First offense: $50. Second, $150. Third, $500. Fourth: $1,000, 3 days mandatory jail time or full-time court-selected community service for 7 days.

Jordan Yerman

at 09:41 on March 7th, 2008

It's totally true: phones seem to distract people more than just talking to a passenger in their car.

Attention, drivers: if you think you're the exception to this, and are really good at driving whilst talking, you're wrong. If the phone rings whilst you're driving, give youself a status boost and let 'em leave voicemail. (And that hypothetical "emergency call" is not the one coming in, now, is it?)