Cellphones worse than drink-driving
12:35 22 March 02 New Scientist
Gaia Vince
Talking on a mobile phone while driving is more dangerous than being over the UK's legal alcohol limit - even if you are using a hands-free set.
Driving simulator experiments by researchers at the Transport Research Laboratory found drivers talking on mobile phones had 30 per cent slower reaction times than those who had been drinking, and 50 per cent slower times than sober participants.
"In addition," the TRL report says, "drivers using mobile phones missed significantly more road warning signs than when drunk."
The report adds: "The distraction caused by making or receiving a call can be visual, auditory, mental (cognitive), or physical (biomechanical). A hand-held mobile phone call could involve all four forms of distraction at the same time."
Drivers who use their phones to send text messages were subject to the highest levels of physical and visual distraction, the report noted.
Stopping distance
In one test, the participants were asked to drive at 70 mph (112 km/h) and then asked to stop. Those talking on hand-held sets came to a stop in an average 45 metres, those using hands-free sets stopped in 39 m, those with blood alcohol levels at just over 80 mg/100 ml stopped at 35 m, whilst the control group stopped in 31 m.
Dominic Burch, Direct Line insurance company's road safety campaign manager, said: "Most people accept that talking on a mobile phone while driving is distracting, however, many drivers don't appreciate how dangerous it is."
"In effect, 10 million drivers are partaking in a driving activity that is potentially more dangerous than being drunk," Burch says.
The report, commissioned by Direct Line, will add more support to calls for a complete UK ban on using mobile phones while driving, in line with other countries such as Ireland. There is currently no specific law against the practice in Britain.
12:35 22 March 02 New Scientist
Gaia Vince
Talking on a mobile phone while driving is more dangerous than being over the UK's legal alcohol limit - even if you are using a hands-free set.
Driving simulator experiments by researchers at the Transport Research Laboratory found drivers talking on mobile phones had 30 per cent slower reaction times than those who had been drinking, and 50 per cent slower times than sober participants.
"In addition," the TRL report says, "drivers using mobile phones missed significantly more road warning signs than when drunk."
The report adds: "The distraction caused by making or receiving a call can be visual, auditory, mental (cognitive), or physical (biomechanical). A hand-held mobile phone call could involve all four forms of distraction at the same time."
Drivers who use their phones to send text messages were subject to the highest levels of physical and visual distraction, the report noted.
Stopping distance
In one test, the participants were asked to drive at 70 mph (112 km/h) and then asked to stop. Those talking on hand-held sets came to a stop in an average 45 metres, those using hands-free sets stopped in 39 m, those with blood alcohol levels at just over 80 mg/100 ml stopped at 35 m, whilst the control group stopped in 31 m.
Dominic Burch, Direct Line insurance company's road safety campaign manager, said: "Most people accept that talking on a mobile phone while driving is distracting, however, many drivers don't appreciate how dangerous it is."
"In effect, 10 million drivers are partaking in a driving activity that is potentially more dangerous than being drunk," Burch says.
The report, commissioned by Direct Line, will add more support to calls for a complete UK ban on using mobile phones while driving, in line with other countries such as Ireland. There is currently no specific law against the practice in Britain.
