When drivers are distracted

The Washington Times ^ | 4-21-06 | Ken Thomas

[JZelle]

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Eight out of 10 crashes involve drivers who are drowsy, chatting on a cell phone, applying makeup or otherwise distracted from the road ahead, according to a government study released yesterday that videotaped people behind the wheel. Reviewing thousands of hours of video and data from sensor monitors linked to more than 200 drivers, researchers found that a wide range of distractions can lead to crashes or near crashes. Reaching for a moving object while driving increased the risk of a crash by nine times, while reading or applying makeup from behind the wheel enhanced the risk by three times. Dialing a cell phone, meanwhile, increased the risk of a crash by nearly three times, researchers found. The study "illustrates the potentially dire consequences that can occur while driving distracted or drowsy. It's crucial that drivers always be alert when on the road," said Jacqueline Glassman, acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

[JZelle]

"A government report last year found that about 10 percent of drivers are using cell phones. "

I think it's much higher than 10%.

[theDentist]

A woman almost hit me yesterday morning... She had her cellphone in right hand, and her left was "steering" and had a hair brush, which she was using as she talked (walkie-talkie style)... Brush brush, adjust steering, brush, adjust steering, brush brush brush, adjust steering, brush...

[theDentist]

Almost forgot to mention: I nearly dropped my coffee...

[Nascar Dad]

[harveywashbanger]

I've seen some people do stupid stuff while--applying makeup, gabbing on the phone, reading maps--but the two that take the cake are the guys who are reading books and the one I saw while living in Georgia, I kid you not, playing an acoustic guitar while he drove.

[Gator101]

What really annoys me about the cell phone users is how their speed drops to 5 mph below the speed limit and how they stay in the left lane and are oblivious to all the mad people who have to pass them on the right.

Usually the only time a cell talker is in the right lane is when they are right next to another slow cell talker in the left lane, making it so nobody is able to pass.

[ClearCase_guy]

I don't understand. I can do many things while I drive. Right now, I'm freeping while I'm going down the highway. It's no big deal and ---- AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

[TankerKC]

Yep..a sudden reduction in speed is a sure sign that someone has started a cell call.

As drivers, we always think it is the "other guy" screwing up. I found my limitations a few weeks ago when my wife called me at a red light. I started to talk to her...took my foot off the gas...and went through the intersection. I could have killed someone.

Since then, I got an hands free ear piece. What do Freepers think about hand free phones?

[rattrap]

You're just as distracted but with two hands on the wheel?

I don't think they make a difference.

[Rakkasan1]

"drivers" refers to people driving on the actual road, not the ditch,curb,shoulder,etc.

[mtbopfuyn]

A woman passed us going 90 to nothing while doing her makeup. I told Mr. M to watch out for her before she caused a wreck. Sure enough, not a mile down the road we came around a bend and she'd flipped. Of course, she had no idea why it happened. Thankfully, no one else was involved.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hey, kids, don't make me come back there!

[theDentist]

In truth, when my phone rings I look to see who's calling. If it's a manager/boss/family I pull over somewhere and call them back asap. But I don't talk on phone when driving.

[Rakkasan1]

'hands free' devices only seem to make sure the distracted driver has both hands on the wheel while running the stop sign and "merging" onto the freeway at 15 MPH.

I see a lot of weird stuff riding motorcycle.

[TankerKC]

Sure enough, not a mile down the road we came around a bend and she'd flipped.

I'm not wishing a wreck on anyone, but that is sweet justice.

[rattrap]

Thank you, it's too bad everyone with a phone doesn't do the same.

[TankerKC]

'hands free' devices only seem to make sure the distracted driver has both hands on the wheel while running the stop sign and "merging" onto the freeway at 15 MPH.

A bonehead is a bonehead. Some folks drive like idiots no matter what.

I have found that my visibility is better with the hands free. I can see in the periphery and I can turn to look in my blind spots. Still, I limit my calls while driving...in fact, it is a rare occasion.

[Rummyfan]

Someone got paid to do this study?????

[Species8472]

Of course its too dangerous for a citizen to be distracted.

And the guy that drives this car is going to give you a ticket for it!

[Alberta's Child]

From what I've read, there is no difference between a standard cell phone and a hands-free model when it comes to the level of distraction that a driver has to deal with when using one.

The biggest factor in driver distraction when using a cell phone is that the driver is attempting to have a conversation while driving -- NOT that the driver is holding a phone to his ear while driving.