Finally! Both of us here have been bitching about cell talking cagers. Personally I firmly believe that it is not the hands-free vs handheld that decreases a chance of an accident. But rather the person’s ability to effectively multi-task and still dedicate their attention to the most dangerous task at the time - driving.
I found this article one of the edmunds blogs earlier today. Apparently a new AAA study finds that two-thirds of Americans think that using a phone hands-free behind the wheel is safer than using a handheld phone. But the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that scientific research proves otherwise.
AAA contends that studies analyzing cell phone records of drivers involved in crashes show that using a cell phone while driving — hands-free or not — increases the chance of being involved in a crash by a factor of four.
Not to gloat but finally there is a survey coming from a reputable source that proves the following important point - unless it’s an emergency pull over, make a call and then continue on.
Happy Friday everyone and safe driving/riding.
[Source: edmunds]
I have seen this type of data before. What is often left out is that talking to passengers, singing along to music, parents looking at children in the car, adjusting the radio/climate controls, etc is just as disruptive.
The issue isn’t that your attention is split between a mobile phone and driving, the issue is that the brain is spent doing multiple things for a protracted period of time.
Someone laughing and singing with their friends in the car for five minutes is just as distracted as someone talking on the phone the same amount of time.
DrFaulken
December 5th, 2008
You are probably right.
Problem is though - people mostly drive by themselves. And a cell phone is pretty much the first thing they use in order to entertain themselves while sitting in traffic.
We have got to promote self sufficiency :).
sideout
December 5th, 2008