Cell phones a major road distraction

Bay News 9 - Tampa, FL ^ | 10/10/2005 | Bay News 9

[devane617]

According to AAA, distracted drivers account for between 4,000 and 8,000 traffic accidents daily in the United States.

Distracted drivers also account for about half of the six million traffic accidents in the United States reported annually. One distraction facing drivers in this high tech age are cell phones.

Obviously cell phones are not the only distraction facing drivers. Other distractions such as looking at objects on or near the road, looking at other people in other cars, loud music and distracting interaction with passengers are just as menacing to the safety of you and others on the road. Oh yes, don't forget about eating a sandwich, putting on make-up and of course there are those who for some silly reason think that its appropriate to read a book while driving.

However, concentrate on cell phone safety while driving. Cell phone distractions while operating a vehicle can increase your chances of being involved in a traffic accident, no question about it.

Hands free devices are just as distracting. Studies show that using a hands free device does not reduce your chances of being distracted. Hands free devices are simply a convenience and not a remedy for operating a hand held phone while driving. Why? Because it's not the device that is distracting to drivers, it's the conversation.

Studies show intellectual stimulation while driving impairs a driver's ability to retain control of their vehicle.

According to AAA, in one study, drivers were given simple concentration exercises to perform while driving. None required drivers to remove their eyes from the road. However, performing the exercises significantly diminished the driver's ability to drive. Specific changes in driving behavior included tunnel vision, decreased road scanning and decreased use of rear-view mirrors. Drivers also reduced their speed when performing the exercises.

So, I have made my point that cell phones are a huge distraction and should be used only when it is absolutely essential. Going 75 miles per hour down I-4 is not an appropriate time to make a business deal or order a pizza.

What can we do about cell phones and safety? AAA recommends drivers not use their cell phones while driving. However, if using a phone is essential that drivers should follow these safety tips:

TIPS FOR SAFE DRIVING

· Recognize that driving requires your full attention.

· Before you get behind the wheel, familiarize yourself with the features of your cell phone.

· Use your cell phone only if it is absolutely necessary.

· If you must use your phone, do so at a safe time and place.

· Ask a passenger in the car to place the call for you and, if possible, speak in your place.

· Plan your conversation in advance and keep it short.

· Inform the person you're calling that you are speaking from the car.

· Hang the phone up as soon as possible, especially in heavy traffic and hazardous weather conditions.

· Secure your phone in the car so that it doesn't become a projectile in a crash.

A final thought at the risk of being redundant: It's not only the device that causes distractions to drivers, it's the conversation. Be sure if you must talk on the phone while driving you do so in a responsible manner.

Regards, Russ Handler

[devane617]

I read an article the other day that stated driving while talking on a phone is as dangerous as drunk driving.

[camle]

states are falling beside themselves enacting call=phone car bans saying that you gotta either use hands'free or pull over to use the phone.

hand's free doesn't eliminate the distraction, and i can see cars diving to the shoulder during rush hours to take phone calls.

we'll see if these new rules make anything really safer.

[George Smiley]

Other distractions such as looking at objects on or near the road,

The logical conclusion here is to remove all the auto glass and replace it with sheet metal.

[devane617]

Yea, I think the cell-phone genie is out of the bottle, and it will be hard to stuff it back in. Making it more safe will also be difficult.

[P8riot]

'Scuse me? What did you say? I was on the phone.

[spunkets]

"I read an article the other day that stated driving while talking on a phone is as dangerous as drunk driving."

Sure, if you're a space cadet, else it doesn't mean diddly. If there was anything to it at all, the 18 wheelers would all be totaled and in the junkyard from all the yickety yackin' on the CB. WHat does that say about cagers/4 wheelers in general? Hmmm?

[swarthyguy]

Ban all fone usage while driving. Pull over and talk.

[devane617]

My neighbors kid installed a set of Train Horns on his truck that are so loud they set off building alarms if he is close. He calls them his Cell-Phone-Driver attention getter.

[mysterio]

I hope the safety nazis don't get a national law passed on cell phones. Just more revenue for the damned state. Imagine how many accidents are going to be caused by people slamming their brakes to get into the breakdown lane or reaching for their "hands free" device.

The level of safety statism in this country is almost as unbelievable as the number of people cheering it on.

[AbeKrieger]

When someone addresses dogs jumping wildly inside the passenger compartment of a moving car, hanging out the window, then I will start worrying about cell phones.

[mysterio]

And that would cause more wrecks than cell phone use while driving. People slamming on their brakes to answer the phone in all kinds of weather.

[Wiseghy]

The folks at MADD should be on top of this one.

[swarthyguy]

What price safety?

Don't answer the fone when driving. Let the voicemail take it.

Look, we got cigarettes banned in bars because of safety.

Why should drunks be protected from cigs but not drivers from babblemouths who can't shut up?

I say ban 'em in moving cars.

[Black Tooth]

I read an article the other day that stated driving while talking on a phone is as dangerous as drunk driving.

75 percent of drivers are already bad drivers with poor driving skills. Put a cell phone in their hand, and it's a recipe for disaster.

[Rennes Templar]

I've been driving for 30 years. I have not had an accident. I have driven while using car phones before cell phones, then a cell phone. I have driven while talking, eating,tending pets, reading and looking at other people, cars and objects. People get in accidents (excluding sickness or alcohol) because they can't multi-task, ie they are not physically-mentally coordinated to do more than one thing at a time. I have driven with people who were barely able to drive, period.
Give them a cell phone and its only a matter of time.

[theFIRMbss]

>Sure, if you're a space cadet, else it doesn't mean diddly.

You are flat out wrong!
These guys tested it fairly.
It's worse than drinking!


Episode 33: Killer Brace Position

Everyone knows that talking on a cell phone while driving is potentially dangerous, but is it as risky as driving drunk? To find out, Adam and Kari head to a local raceway to try their hand at driving a skills course, first, while being distracted on a cell phone, and then after knocking back a couple of rounds of beers. Then, the guys strap themselves into their own homemade mock airplane and go for a little ride straight down to test the efficacy of that oh-so-familiar brace position that airlines outline in their safety procedures. premiere: June 22, 2005

[Black Tooth]

When someone addresses dogs jumping wildly inside the passenger compartment of a moving car, hanging out the window, then I will start worrying about cell phones.

Everywhere I go, everyone around me seems to be on the cell phones. I haven't seen a dog jumping wildly inside of a vehicle...Ever.

[blackie]

People using a cell phone while moving in any manner are a hazard!

[camle]

as people get used to it, they'll get better. what scares me is when that car overtaking me gets a call and the driver lunges to the shoulder to answer it...

[don-o]

Recognize that driving requires your full attention.

That is the main point. If you simply must make that call, being aware that you are distracted steps up your awareness.

If I find I must make or take a call (usually to confirm where my kids are) it's a two sentence conversation quickly finished. For all others, it's "I'll call you back." Nothing difficult at all about that. No, I am not in favor of outlawing them; you just cannot legislate away "stuck on stupid."