Are Cell Phones Dangerous Essay
876 Words
Apr 10th, 2014
4 Pages
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--Talking on a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk, new federally funded research shows, and it doesn't matter whether you use a hands-free model or hold the phone up to your ear during the conversation.
The study, by University of Utah researchers, adds to a growing body of evidence that conversing by phone while behind the wheel can be hazardous.
"We found that when people talk on a cell phone they are as impaired as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit (of 0.08). It was a surprise to us," said Frank Drews, one of the Utah researchers who has published earlier studies showing drivers on the phone are at higher risk of accidents.
The …show more content…
The study, by University of Utah researchers, adds to a growing body of evidence that conversing by phone while behind the wheel can be hazardous.
"We found that when people talk on a cell phone they are as impaired as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit (of 0.08). It was a surprise to us," said Frank Drews, one of the Utah researchers who has published earlier studies showing drivers on the phone are at higher risk of accidents.
The …show more content…
But many are only partial bans that allow the use of hands-free models.
The Utah researchers say that's not enough.
"We have shown in previous studies there's no difference between hand-held and hands-free," Drews said. "There is a (more dangerous) component when people are dialing the phone or searching for the cell phone in the briefcase on the seat beside them, but what distracts people when talking on a cell phone is the conversation, not holding the phone."
The researchers recruited 40 men and women ages 22 to 34 and tested them as they operated a PatrolSim driving simulator equipped with a steering wheel, dashboard instruments and brake and gas pedals from a Ford Crown Victoria sedan. While at the wheel, the driver was surrounded by screens showing daylight freeway traffic.
The test was performed on four different days--once when they were unimpaired and undistracted. On subsequent tests, each drove once while talking on a hand-held cell phone; once while talking on a hands-free phone, and once after drinking vodka and orange juice until they reached a 0.08 blood alcohol level.
When driving while talking on either type of cell phone, the driver was engaged in casual conversation with a research assistant on topics of interest to the
The Utah researchers say that's not enough.
"We have shown in previous studies there's no difference between hand-held and hands-free," Drews said. "There is a (more dangerous) component when people are dialing the phone or searching for the cell phone in the briefcase on the seat beside them, but what distracts people when talking on a cell phone is the conversation, not holding the phone."
The researchers recruited 40 men and women ages 22 to 34 and tested them as they operated a PatrolSim driving simulator equipped with a steering wheel, dashboard instruments and brake and gas pedals from a Ford Crown Victoria sedan. While at the wheel, the driver was surrounded by screens showing daylight freeway traffic.
The test was performed on four different days--once when they were unimpaired and undistracted. On subsequent tests, each drove once while talking on a hand-held cell phone; once while talking on a hands-free phone, and once after drinking vodka and orange juice until they reached a 0.08 blood alcohol level.
When driving while talking on either type of cell phone, the driver was engaged in casual conversation with a research assistant on topics of interest to the