These days you cannot imagine life without your cell phone by your side. The benefits they provide are many. Although they play an integral role in our society, they can also pose a serious hazard if used while driving.
A survey released in January 2007 by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. showed that 73 percent of drivers operate their vehicles while talking on their cell phones. It has been proven time and again that cell phone use greatly distracts drivers whether it is a hands-free or hand-held cell phone. Engaging in conversation with a passenger is just as distracting, but less dangerous since at least your passenger adds another set of eyes and ears to the road. The person at the other end of the line has no idea whether you are in slow or fast traffic, what maneuvers you are undertaking nor how much of your attention they require.
Researchers at the University of Utah found that drivers using cell phones experience a decrease in the ability to process peripheral vision which slows reaction time by 20%. The study concludes that driving talking on your cell phone (wether hands-free or hand-held) is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Likewise, a study released in April 2006 and conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that nearly 80 percent of car accidents involved some form of driver inattention (the most common of which is the use of cell phones) within three seconds of the event.
Driving is an activity into itself that requires your full attention. Moreover, driving is the most
dangerous activity you will undertake in your day and is one of the leading causes of death in the world. If the time of day you are most likely to die is while driving your vehicle, shouldn't you be paying attention?
A survey released in January 2007 by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. showed that 73 percent of drivers operate their vehicles while talking on their cell phones. It has been proven time and again that cell phone use greatly distracts drivers whether it is a hands-free or hand-held cell phone. Engaging in conversation with a passenger is just as distracting, but less dangerous since at least your passenger adds another set of eyes and ears to the road. The person at the other end of the line has no idea whether you are in slow or fast traffic, what maneuvers you are undertaking nor how much of your attention they require.
Researchers at the University of Utah found that drivers using cell phones experience a decrease in the ability to process peripheral vision which slows reaction time by 20%. The study concludes that driving talking on your cell phone (wether hands-free or hand-held) is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Likewise, a study released in April 2006 and conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that nearly 80 percent of car accidents involved some form of driver inattention (the most common of which is the use of cell phones) within three seconds of the event.
Driving is an activity into itself that requires your full attention. Moreover, driving is the most
dangerous activity you will undertake in your day and is one of the leading causes of death in the world. If the time of day you are most likely to die is while driving your vehicle, shouldn't you be paying attention?
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