Yet Another Survey Finds Cellphone Use in Cars is Bad

[Mike Temporale]

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/08/26/hscout527597.html

"Listening on your cell phone while driving can be just as risky as talking, a new study finds. "It seems an intuitive understanding for most people that production [talking] on a cell phone is harder than comprehension[listening]. But the fact is that both result in poor driving performance," said Tate Kubose, a cognitive scientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and lead author of the study."

I love how the focus is all about cellphones. They are just plain evil, we know. :roll: Let's not forget that chewing on that Big Mac, drinking that hot latte, putting on make-up, or reading the newspaper (yes, I've seen it) are just as bad and most of those happen far more often. Doing anything other than driving while driving is not a smart thing to do. I consider using talking on a cellphone while using a hands-free kit to be far safer, than any of these other activities. Then again, maybe I pay more attention to the road than the average Joe.

[Mike Temporale]

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/08/26/hscout527597.html

"Listening on your cell phone while driving can be just as risky as talking, a new study finds. "It seems an intuitive understanding for most people that production [talking] on a cell phone is harder than comprehension[listening]. But the fact is that both result in poor driving performance," said Tate Kubose, a cognitive scientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and lead author of the study."

I love how the focus is all about cellphones. They are just plain evil, we know. :roll: Let's not forget that chewing on that Big Mac, drinking that hot latte, putting on make-up, or reading the newspaper (yes, I've seen it) are just as bad and most of those happen far more often. Doing anything other than driving while driving is not a smart thing to do. I consider using talking on a cellphone while using a hands-free kit to be far safer, than any of these other activities. Then again, maybe I pay more attention to the road than the average Joe.

[Jason Dunn]

I think it comes down to how well someone multitasks. Some people are great at it, and have no trouble focusing on two things at once. Others are horrible at it, and you get very dangerous drivers. These are the people who, when changing the radio station, they start to veer all over the road. :roll: I consider myself a strong multi-tasker, but there have been occasions when I've been dailing a number on my phone and thinking about what I was going to say to a person, that I found my car veering a bit. You definitely have to pay attention and focus on driving first and foremost!

[Mark Larson]

The above poster is absolutely correct. I've noticed that in spite of all the hype in women's magazines about how much better women are at multitasking, women drivers are the worst at paying attention to the road while they do anything other than look at the road and have two hands on the wheel.

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

there have been occasions when I've been dailing a number on my phone and thinking about what I was going to say to a person, that I found my car veering a bit.

This is the key that differentiates a cell phone from other tasks in the car, in my opinion. They're all stupid to try and multitask, but a cell phone is an interactive communication device, that actively takes the mind away from the scene at hand. Eating, etc. are more passive.

I personally believe I multitask well, but I never answer or dial my phone while driving. Voicemail is so very handy.

--janak

[Sven]

I'm not sure how talking on a cell phone (using a handsfree capability) is much different than holding a conversation with passengers. At least I'm not tempted to look at the person when talking. I might even be less inclined to gesture with my hands if no-one can see me, though that may be different along ethnic lines

Making or answering a call is a simple one button push for me. Less complicated than tuning the radio. The rest is done verbally.

Sure, I agree that anything that takes your focus off the road is potentially hazardous, but cell phone use is just one of dozens of distractions. Some have been mentioned. How about game broadcasts for a rabid sports fan, or talk radio.

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by sven

I'm not sure how talking on a cell phone (using a handsfree capability) is much different than holding a conversation with passengers.

It's hugely different. Passengers tend to notice road conditions and often cease talking when a sensitive moment approaches. Additionally, drivers are generally more inclined to ask passengers to wait a minute or even ask help from the passenger at certain points in a drive. I know I do.

How about game broadcasts for a rabid sports fan, or talk radio.

Again, it's passive, one-way. You can yell at it, but in general it's not going to listen.

Without a doubt, different people have different attention spans and multitasking abilities, but I've found two-way phone conversations to be amongst the most distracting. As evidence, take a look at the behavior of someone on a cell phone just about anywhere -- public transit, restaurants, etc. They often zone out and are unresponsive to things happening around them.

--janak

[Sven]

Originally Posted by Janak Parekh

drivers are generally more inclined to ask passengers to wait a minute

I can, and do, do that in a car too. I'll suggest I call back, or ask for a pause if the suituation warrants. At 65 on the highway with cruise control on, what's the diff.

Again, it's passive, one-way

You must not know the same sports fans I do. One way? yes. Passive?hardly.

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by sven

I can, and do, do that in a car too.

You're better than most then. Maybe New York drivers are different...

At 65 on the highway with cruise control on, what's the diff.

Ah! That situation doesn't exist here in the NY metro area, unless you're driving at 3am. I don't think anyone I know has used cruise control except when traveling in other quieter parts of the US.

You must not know the same sports fans I do. One way? yes. Passive?hardly.

As I implied in my previous response, it's all relative. I don't doubt you see people paying more attention to a sports game than on the cell phone, but my experience has mostly been the opposite. And yes, I know some rabid sports fans.

--janak

[Sven]

Originally Posted by Janak Parekh

Ah! That situation doesn't exist here in the NY metro area
--janak

I didn't think people had cars there. I thought it was only taxi's limos, and cops. Hey, we sould get rid of the cops radios, and radar, bet that's distracting.

I guess it comes down to my being a libertarian. I I just don't like laws that restrict everyone, to avoid what some might do. You make it clear there are consequences for unsuitable results. Certainly there are things that need to be restricted for the common good. Talking on the cell phone is just one of the many things that can distract a driver, and without eliminating the rest, it just seems arbitrary to do one.

No Rules, Just Right

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by sven

I didn't think people had cars there.

I wish. (Anyway, I live on Long Island, and you need a car there.)

I guess it comes down to my being a libertarian. I I just don't like laws that restrict everyone, to avoid what some might do.

Well, I haven't researched the statistics, but if certain things are disproportionate sources of car accidents, I don't mind seeing some legislation. You'd be amazed how much people think they can multitask, when in fact they can't.

and without eliminating the rest, it just seems arbitrary to do one.

Hmm. I personally wouldn't mind seeing legislation that does tackle the others as well.

--janak