Cellphone talkers as bad as drunk drivers?
by Paul Miller 
posted Jun 30th 2006 at 9:46AM
We've heard the word that handsfree setups don't make cellphone driving any safer, but this new study comparing phone use to driving under the influence seems like it's taking things a bit far. Apparently some new research, using a driving simulation device as to not expose any real drivers to the dangers of those who talk, is showing cellphone users to be as bad or worse than the average drunk driver. 40 volunteers used the simulator, taking turns trying it undistracted, with a handheld phone, with a handsfree device and while blowing a 0.08 blood-alcohol level -- the average level of impairment in the US. Three participants ended up rear-ending the car in front of them, and all three were talking on the phone, not drunk. The study noticed little difference between handsfree and handheld phone talkers, and found they were 9 percent slower to hit the breaks, and varied their speed more than normal drivers. Drunk drivers would drive slower, yet more aggressively, and all three groups were under the impression that they weren't impaired. We'd still rather have a talker behind the wheel than a drunk, especially when the blood-alcohol level shoots past 0.08 -- as it tends to do -- but we're guessing legislators will see otherwise and jump at the chance to clamp down on conversationalists.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John McDonald @ Jun 30th 2006 1:49PM
Aw bullcrap. These studies are always skewed toward the bias of the individual or group sponsoring them. You want to talk about driving impairment? Fine. Drunks and talkers can definitely be distracted, but while you're at it, why has there never been a studay for playing with radio, smoking, eating, putting on makeup, or having kids or pets in the car. You better outlaw all of those before you outlaw my cellphone, that's all I'm saying!
Steve Dembo @ Jun 30th 2006 2:36PM
Mythbusters tested this one out and came to the same conclusion. Very intersting show, but basically the conclusion is that driving distracted was just as bad as driving drunk
Eyad @ Jun 30th 2006 4:19PM
I have to agree with this one. I never understood why I should be afraid of the cops if I had the phone to my ear vs. if I had a hands-free setup. What's the f***in' difference? I'm still having a conversation instead of focusing on the road; the fact that my other hand isn't in the wheel is inconsequential, it could just as well be hanging out the window or adjusting the climate control but no-one pulls me over for that.