http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/ Engadget Comments for Cellphone talkers as bad as drunk drivers? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
The common (faulty) procedure for this test is to 1. drive on a course as a control, 2. drive on the course while talking on a cell phone while being asked complicated questions, 3. drive on the course while intoxicated. The results for test 2 and 3 are usually similar.

There are three (3) missing tests. 1. Driving the course while having a normal relaxed conversation on the cell phone. 2. Driving the course while having a normal relaxed conversation with a passenger (not on a cell phone). 3. Driving the course while being asked the same complicated questions by a passenger (not on a cell phone). 4. One more test that should be run is driving the course while holding a cell phone to your ear with no conversation just to confirm that holding the phone is not the problem.

You’ll find that driving with a normal conversation on a phone or with a passenger is similar to the first control test. And driving with the intense questions from a passenger will be similar to driving with the intense questions over the phone. The conversation, not the device causes the distraction.

Also, one major difference is that a phone can be put down if a challenging driving situation arises, the intoxication can’t be turned off at will. If the tests are all run letting the driver decide when to talk and when to concentrate on driving (like in real life) there will be even more contrast between the test drives and driving intoxicated.

The “incomplete” driving with cell phone test is what is BUSTED!]]>May 8th 2008 7:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
I purposely crank the music so I can have an excuse as to why I ignored my phone while I'm driving. Of course, I'd probably be cranking the music anyway just for fun.]]>Jun 30th 2006 9:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
The results between driving drunk and driving while talking on a cell phone were similar (they failed the road course). As far as which one was worse talking or drinking? I don't remember.]]>Jun 30th 2006 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Also they found that the cellphone test were failed by a bigger margin.
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_killer_brace_posit.html]]>Jun 30th 2006 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
Cell phone use in the car is pretty helpful when you're lost.

Granted, most people do drive like idiots when they're on their cell phones. I've been rear-ended while at a stop at a red light by a realtor yakking on her phone (yes, she was driving a mini-van...) and can't count the number of times I've been cut off while trying to merge because some idiot isn't paying enough attention to what's going on around them.

5 will get you 10 that a higher percentage of tinted-glass, mini-van driving soccer moms will have accidents if you put them in a simulator with a bunch of kids who are acting up...]]>Jun 30th 2006 10:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
Where can I find a small, portable cell phone jammer?]]>Jun 30th 2006 10:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
This comment makes no sense. It's not as if legislators have to choose between one or the other: they're both dangerous; they should both be off the road.]]>Jun 30th 2006 10:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 10:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
Oh, and Chris? http://www.suresafe.com.tw]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 11:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 11:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
As previous posters have noted, you need to do a little homework on how the human brain maintains concentration and processes information to understand why talking on a cellphone is more distracting than talking to someone in the car with you, or changing radio stations, etc.

Basically, the brain uses a lot more information to process a conversation than you might expect. Changes in speech pace, intonation, etc. as well as non-verbal cues such as body language are all used by your brain to derive meaning from your conversation. A cell phone has low fidelity audio which masks much of the subtlety in people's speech, and obviously there can be no non-verbal cues over the phone. The upshot is that your brain must dedicate significantly greater attention on processing a cell phone conversation than an in-person conversation, even when you can't actually see the person (e.g. they're in the back seat)]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
You shouldn't be doing _any_ of that while you're driving. Kids need a pacifier? Fine, get off the goddamn road and give it to them.

And btw, to the idiot that said loud music would result in being rear-ended by an ambulance.... Where the heck do you drive? Ambulances where _I_ drive have big flashing lights that you see LOOOONG before you hear them. They also don't rear end anyone just because their path isn't cleared. That would be kind of stupid, don't you think? And you really think he's going to miss an ambulance tail-gating his ass just because he has some music on?

The only thing that's dangerous about music is if it's distracting you from being able to pay attention to the road. You do that mostly with your eyes, not your ears.

Even with hands-free, if you're having an interactive conversation, ie one where you sit there and have to think about what to say and respond to the person, then you're not thinking about the road and you're suddenly the most dangerous thing around you. Studies show it, and if you were honest with yourself you wouldn't need the studies, because you would know it just from _doing_ it.

]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/=D]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
Up until a year ago I worked at a well known cell phone company and seriously believed that cell phones in the hands of most drivers was not a problem.

Since riding the scooter daily, I've become much more aware of the behavior of the drivers around me. I am constantly amazed that when I see erratic or clueless drivers, they are almost always on a cell phone. Not scientific, I know, but I would feel much safer if cell phone use while driving were restricted.

I agree that there are other distractions while driving, but if there is a pervasive problem we should work to solve it even if we can solve every problem.

David
www.theangrybees.com/blog]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
So when are auto manufacturers going to start making the drivers side sound proof and isolated from the rest of the car? Never. I think we should adopt what one comedian I saw proposed. We add Cell phone usage and radio management to the drivers test. And we make the driving part of the driving test that much harder. This will cut down on traffic, and increase the use of public transportation. Everyone wins.
]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/I know some who was lucky to walk away from a rollover after hitting a tree because they were changing tracks on their iPod.
I've seen people crossing lane to lane while yelling at the kids in the back.
Point is that anything that is taking your concentration from contolling your 1 or 2 ton projectile at 60mph while 20ft away from stationary opbjects or other fast moving projectiles is very dangerous. More people need to think of driving as a skill that needs concentration and practice and not as a reflex action of one foot and two hands.

While we're never going to have legislation against shouting at your kids or arguing with your passengers, we can and should have laws against the more easily enforcable distractions like drink, drugs and phones.]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
Of course, the cell phone group on myth busters didn't have that option. I bet this test made similiar misstakes.

Either way, banning cell phones on the road should be considered a much bigger deal than banning drunk drivers. Why? Because allowing people to talk on their cell on the road adds value to society. By the time I get home, I can have plans for the evening. It makes the time stuck in traffic useful. It allows us to do more work, etc.

Is the cost in driver-impairment > cost of lose of communications? I really doubt the answer is yes.]]>Jun 30th 2006 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
I would absolutely vote for my state to ban all cell phone usage by the driver in the car. Say what you want about changing stations and such...it can be hazardous potentially, but one big difference is that it takes 1 second. Cell phones on the other hand are a constant distraction.

I know it only takes 1 second for you to get in a wreck, but no serious person thinks that changing your radio station is just as dangerous.

I am thinking of writing my governor and asking him to ban cell phone usage in cars. I'm serious.]]>Jun 30th 2006 12:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/ having a heated discussion with someone in
> the back or passenger seat is just as
> distracting as talking on the cell phone

A heated conversation, maybe. A normal conversation, no way. Here's the difference between in-car and cell phone conversations. Safe driving is all about being alert to your surroundings. The passanger is usually aware of things that need the driver's attention. They can also see when the driver is trying to concentrate on driving. Passangers anticipate silences in the conversation, where a person on a cell phone will be saying "hello, hello" and basically irritating the driver as much as they are distracting him/her.]]>Jun 30th 2006 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/|| past 0.08 -- as it tends to do

A blood alcohol level of 0.08? 0.08 parts of alcohol in 1 part of blood? That would mean a blood alcohol concentration of 8%. I doubt that anyone could survive a bac like that, let alone drive a car...

Or do they mean 0.08%?]]>Jun 30th 2006 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 12:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Sometimes I don't even remember driving to work or back home. I just get in the car..POOF! I'm at work.]]>Jun 30th 2006 12:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 12:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
get a girlfriend and see if statement still holds ;)]]>Jun 30th 2006 1:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/"Drunk driving safer than talking on a mobile"
*cracks a beer*]]>Jun 30th 2006 1:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
Of course, he blows right past the red light doing 50...keep in mind this is a crowded NYC street here.

Now, I'm not saying that I've never used the phone in the car, because that would just be lying, but this idiot wasn't even putting a little bit of effort into trying to keep alert. If you're paying a lot of attention to the conversation you're probably not paying a lot of attention to driving.

So keep phone calls to a minimum, only for like really simple non-involved things maybe, like "I'll be home a little late, bye" or something.]]>Jun 30th 2006 1:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
While I'm on my cell phone, I have my eyes on the road. How is this more dangerous than scanning your rearview mirror?
(not bashing the mirror scans, just making a point)]]>Jan 30th 2007 10:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
If people just can't possibly give up talking on the phone while driving even though theres a chance that it will save some lives, that's pretty indicative of what kind of society we have today.

Back to aviation kind of, any of those other distracting activities described are also a problem, but may be at times hard to prevent. The key here is that a driver should identify a problem and manage it immediately. If this involves pulling over, then do it. If it involves taking steps so that it doesn't happen next time, then take those steps. If you are in a rough situation, ignore the distraction until your workload allows you to deal with it. I think the cellphone thing is just one part of a whole big attitude problem that American drivers exhibit to me every time I go out on the road. I'll even admit to screwing up at times myself, but when I drive I try to drive as expertly and courteously as I can. The safety of myself and others is far more important than any petty conversations or entertaining myself.

Given there are times where you have enough margin of safety to make an important call, and there are emergencies, but this is all part of responsible management. Our current licensing system obviously does not train people to recognize any of this. And, since American drivers have demonstrated an inability to be responsible, generally, everyone might have to give up the freedom of using a phone in the car.

I dunno, just what I think. Sorry it was long, I'm on no sleep and a lot of caffeine.]]>Jun 30th 2006 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
but the point is that most people wont. most people "think their fine" and that their are some sort of super-driver that can do anything.

...then when they rear-end you, somehow it was your fault, you moron!

that's the point. People are retarded, and unless someone is TELLING them that what they are doing is scientifically considered dangerous, that'll just ignore the risks. Especially when they drive a goddamn SUV and think "who cares? i will be safe, i dont really care if i kill that little girl in the hybrid, because i cant fucking drive."

fuckers.]]>Jun 30th 2006 2:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Alcohol, on the other hand, that's a completely different matter. Alcohol impairs the judgement and reaction time. There isn't any pill. You can't drop your drink. You won't be able to press the brakes, turn the wheel, etc. Cell phone users are NOT handicapped in the same way.

I will tell you what cell phone use is doing... it's annoying. But it's not the only thing that is annoying. Traffic congestion is annoying. Cell phone use is easy to spot though, so it's the "habit" that gets the most attention. Everyone targets the cell phone.
No one targets McDonalds. No one targets the makeup companies. Yet every day, day after day, I see women putting on mascara and lipstick in their mirrors.

Why is it legal to eat a cheeseburger, shave, and put on lipstick, yet talking on a cellphone is soon to be illegal? ]]>Jun 30th 2006 2:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
First of all, let's get one thing straight: driving is a long-term exercise in multitasking and situational awareness. A person can only keep track of so many things at a time, or for so much of the time. You have to consider the impact of various factors on your "multitasking load," and all the things people have mentioned previously.

As Racekarl pointed out, humans devote a lot of brain processing power to personal interaction, and when the usual subtle cues aren't there, your brain basically goes into overdrive looking for them, and that adds quite a lot to your multitasking load, in such a way that you don't notice. It uses the unconscious parts of your brain that would normally pick up on shifts in the traffic pattern around you. You may be able to keep a decent amount of attention on both the road and your phone conversation for half a minute or so, but after that, it's one or the other.

When you're talking to a passenger, that person knows that you're driving, and they are also generally keeping an eye on the road. Additionally, they will quiet down (or you can tell them to quiet down) when you're in a difficult position and driving requires your full attention. They can cooperate in easing your multitasking load. Not so with a person on a cell phone - they can't see what's going on and can't react appropriately, and it's not as easy to tell them to be quiet without offending them.

As for the radio, or screaming kids in the backseat, you can tune them out to a certain degree. Since you're not interacting with the radio it doesn't add that much to your multitasking load, and of course you can shut it off at will (if you're an inexperienced driver, however, or have some attention deficit problem, you shouldn't listen to it while driving. I speak from personal experience).

Screaming kids are harder to tune out, but you can tell them to shut up. And if they don't, pull over and deal with the situation. Of course, you can be stupid and turn to yell at them while you're driving. It isn't sensible to ban yelling at your kids in the backseat, but unlike when you're talking on a cellphone, you have the option of devoting a minimal amount of attention to the situation, and more people comprehend the dangers of being distracted by kids than being distracted by a phone conversation.

Finally, if you're doing something like turning off the radio or opening the glove compartment, it only takes a couple of seconds, so it will not strain your multitasking load (at least not for long). Eating or drinking while driving is the same, because you can do it in a series of short-term actions. Although, again, I do not recommend that inexperienced drivers do it.

I think the use (or misuse) of cell phones while driving is partly due to a universal, constant human problem: we develop new technologies more quickly than we can adapt to them. Our behaviors and common sense have yet to catch up to the task of handling this relatively new technology. One can only hope that society will come to its senses in a timely fashion. Until then, I'm all for banning cell phone use while driving.]]>Jun 30th 2006 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 2:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/Jun 30th 2006 3:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
Well, I probably don't have to tell you that your idea is not all that practical. But really, it would not solve the problem of hands-free car phones. And you KNOW a lot of idiots would try to drive and talk on the phone at the same time anyway.]]>Jun 30th 2006 4:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cellphone-talkers-as-bad-as-drunk-drivers/
People will continue to drive while on the phone because it hasn't the same stigma drunk driving has. And look how effective stigma has been in preventing that.

Although I own a cell phone I consider it nothing more than an electronic leash so it's a good excuse to turn it off while in the car. I enjoy my commute a lot more.]]>Jun 30th 2006 4:38PM