Driver study: Cell phones not major distraction (not even close!)

CNN ^ | Aug. 6, 2003 | AP

[FairOpinion]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A study found that most drivers surveyed fiddle with their radios or engage in other distracting behavior, even when they're being watched as part of a study on distracted drivers.

Cell phones were not the major distraction, the study found. Only 30 percent of the subjects used a cell phone while their vehicle was moving, compared with 97 percent who leaned over to reach for something and 91 percent who fiddled with radio controls.

[FairOpinion]

As I and others have been saying: punish people for unsafe DRIVING, not for specific activities in their car, such as using cell phones. Some people drive safely with cell phones, others are a menace on the road with or without cell phones.

Chart from article:

[Always Right]

I see sex did not make the list of distractions.

[Renegade]

This is not a surprise to me !! How come all hell didn't break loose about safety in the 70's-80's when CB radios were in almost all vehicles .."We got a convoy, good buddy !!"

[VoiceOfBruck]

Ultimately, studying accident data will be the best way to understand the problem

Bingo. Regardless of its percent contribution to total distraction time, there seems to be something special about the type of distraction that cell phones provide.

Maybe I'm just getting intolerant in my old age, but I've noticed 2 things lately:

1) Drivers seem to be getting worse, and

2) Just about every close call I've had recently has been a result of someone not paying attention to the road bcs they're on a GD cell phone.

[cinFLA]

I see sex did not make the list of distractions.

Neither did nursing a baby.

[GingisK]

I have often observed dangerous vehicle wanderings as the driver screws around with his cell phone. I'm inclined to belive that this survey was biased.

[chiefqc]

I'm not up to date on this subject, but I know one possible cause of blindness

Crust klintoon in a very short skirt, bending over to pick up a penny on the ground.

See even the words make your eyes blur.

[blau993]

Sorry, but I don't buy this one. Sample size was too small, and the methodology is questionable.

I drive 32 miles (each way) to and from work, about 2/3 of it on a heavily traveled limited access highway, and the other 1/3 on city streets. Invariably when I see a car meandering all over its lane, or going too slow for the lane it is in, when I get up close I see the little antenna poking up from the driver's ear. And it is no better when the driver is wearing a head set. I saw one of those jerks in the left hand lane yesterday doing 50 to 55 (the official speed limit is 65; the de facto speed limit is 75 to 80) with probably a half mile of cars behind him, all trying to move right to pass him. He was totally oblivious.

Sure, there are other distractions in a car (with the exception of sex, I've seen most of the), but cell phone use has become so pervasive that it is a serious traffic efficiency and safety issue.

[UCANSEE2]

I totally disagree with this study, and your reply.

All one has to do is follow someone with a cellphone held up to their ear to know the truth.

NOTICE: there is a clue here.

One can use the earphone, and there is usually not a problem.

One can use a CB, no problem.

Airplane pilots have headgear on continuously, no problem.

BUT, hold a phone to the ear, and the brain shuts off most conscious activity.

Anyone know why?

[syriacus]

I have often observed dangerous vehicle wanderings as the driver screws around with his cell phone. I'm inclined to belive that this survey was biased.

For some reason most of the people I see using cell phones are in the midst of making a left turn at an intersection with a traffic light.

(Maybe that is a statistical anomaly due to my having more time to observe other drivers while I am waiting for my turn to go.)

At any rate, I think people should keep their eyes on the road and both hands on their steering wheels, especially while they are making left turns.

I was behind one of those left-turn cell-phone users the other day. He was out to the middle of the intersection when he stopped for no reason, except to look slowly and carefully at his phone.

It was especially annoying to me because I had politely let him into my lane as he came out of a gas station. Why didn't he make his call while he was on the station's property?

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Crust klintoon in a very short skirt, bending over to pick up a penny on the ground.

Great...thanks for ruining my libido for the next decade!

[syriacus]

BUT, hold a phone to the ear, and the brain shuts off most conscious activity.

I don't know the answer to your question, but I know I can only follow a telephone conversation with the phone held to my left ear. If I hold it to my right ear, I cannot keep track of the conversation as well. I am not hearing impaired.

[mewzilla]

Jeez, folks should just use some consideration and common sense. Do unto others and pull over.

[thecanuck]

Unlike the other distractions listed, the cell phone user gives up a lot more control of the environment. The cell phone user is essentially driving with a blind passenger who will keep yammering on regardless of the traffic or other distractions facing the driver. Dealing with kids, passengers, the radio, and even a CB conversation can all be delayed until the driver is ready and in most cases everyone is aware of the reason why and will cooperate. Most cell phone users treat their phone like their land line and won't put the caller on hold to deal with their environment. Same goes for their rude behaviour in restaurants, stores, etc.

[Badray]

Maybe if a person cannot drive while talking on the phone, drinking a coke, smoking a cigarette, (after having sex) and eating a Chinese dinner with chopsticks, they shouldn't be issued a license.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but some people can multi-task and others cannot and you should know your limitations and your capabilities.

Many idiots on the road should not (and may not) even have a license whether they are distracted by any of the above or not.

The rule should be:

No harm, no foul.

[Between the Lines]

I find it interesting that the study only considers distractions that are actions by the driver inside the vehicle. It does not include listening to music/news/sports, reading billboards and bumper stickers, checking out the girl/guy/car/etc in the lane next to you, sightseeing, rubbernecking, or the lost driver looking for street signs. It would seem they are just looking for things to outlaw rather than find out what really distracts drivers.

[kjam22]

Nokia must have paid for this study.

[GingisK]

It seems we have had about the same experiences and draw similar conclusions.

My solution is to design cell phones to emit a cubic foot or so of VX gas when used while in motion.

[Gee Wally]

I've noticed that cell-phone drivers don't seem to bother with turn signals. I suppose it's a problem to put the signal on, hold the steering wheel and hold the cell phone at the same time.

[SpinyNorman]

Nice chart, but it does not address the morons that try to do two or more of these activities at once.