Safe Speed Forums

Sunday, 6th August 2006
Hands-free phone 'as dangerous as drink-driving'
TALKING on a hands-free mobile phone while at the wheel could be as dangerous as drink-driving, according to new research.

A university study found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a mobile as they are when motoring while over the legal alcohol limit.

The study follows other research that shows that drivers' ability can also suffer from in-car gadgets such as satellite navigation systems.

The study was carried out by the University of Utah in the USA.

For the study, 40 participants drove a driving simulator four times - once while not distracted, once using a mobile phone, once using a hands-free phone, and while intoxicated after drinking vodka and orange juice.

They followed a simulated "pace" car that braked intermittently. The researchers found that both hand-held and hands-free phones impaired driving, with no significant difference in the degree of impairment recorded.

The study found that compared with drivers who were not distracted, those who talked on either hand-held or hands-free phones drove slightly slower and were nine per cent slower to hit the brakes.

Meanwhile, a recent survey by www.motorinsurance.co.uk showed that nearly three-quarters of motorists believe in-car gadgets are potentially dangerous if drivers take their eyes off the road to use them and 81% of those asked said drivers should be required to pull over to use them.

Eddie Barnaville, general manager of the Diamond Advanced Motorists organisation, said: "The fact that 3,500 people are killed on our roads each year shows that motorists simply aren't paying enough attention.

"Satellite navigation systems and hands-free mobile phone kits are all great technological advances, but sadly they do cause distractions for motorists.

"The research carried out by Utah university is the chilling reality of the danger modern technology poses to drivers. Motorists should always stop in a safe place to use their mobile phone or satellite navigation system."

Meanwhile, a recent survey by www.motorinsurance.co.uk showed that nearly three-quarters of motorists believe in-car gadgets are potentially dangerous if drivers take their eyes off the road

The study found that compared with drivers who were not distracted, those who talked on either hand-held or hands-free phones drove slightly slower and were nine per cent slower to hit the brakes.

I find this interesting:



Assuming similar behaviour with the distraction of speed cameras in the vicinity, although the speed might be lower, e.g. at the limit, the constant checking of the speedo and checking for increased speed limit, being out of range etc, must surely make drivers just as slow to hit the brakes?

The figures for the proportions of mobile phone users and drunk drivers are similar at between 1 and 2% of the traffic.

I conclude that drunk driving is a FAR more serious issue than mobile phone driving.

I agree. But where does the 1%- 2% figure for phone users come from - my personal observations lead me to think the figure is higher? (Come to that, how to we know only only 1-2% are drunk? - there are hardly any BiB out there catching them after all!)

drunk driving is responsible for about 550. (deaths)

there are hardly any BiB out there catching them after all

[...]
btw, Paul, you're doing a splendid job here and I applaud you for all you do

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M.E.N





So what about speed cameras then?

the speed of reaction and the acquisition/appreciation processes being most affected.