Think Hands Free Phones Make Driving Safer? Think Again.

Peter Martin, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the University of Utah Traffic Lab, says the new study shows "cell phones not only make driving dangerous, they cause delay, too."

In recent years, Strayer's research group has published studies showing that:

• Hands-free cell phones are no less dangerous while driving than hand-held cell phones because the conversation itself is the major distraction.
• When young adults talk on cell phones while driving, their reaction time becomes as slow as reaction time for senior citizens.
• Drivers talking on cell phones are as impaired as drivers with the 0.08 percent blood alcohol level that defines drunken driving in most states.

Highway statistics suggest drivers on cell phones are four times more likely to be in an accident, and Strayer's earlier research suggests the risk is 5.36 times greater.

The researchers note that 50 countries have adopted laws banning hand-held phones while driving. But they say hands-free phone conversations are distracting, too.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/20/2008 11:43:33 PM

+2 Boost

I like that M3 ad!

EvoAudi - 2/21/2008 12:21:10 AM

+1 Boost

I like it too.

fuelfool - 2/20/2008 11:54:40 PM

+6 Boost

Is anyone surprised by this? Of course it doesn't make any difference if it's a hands-free phone or not. Most people drive with one hand anyway. Anyone with half a brain knew this when these absurd laws were first passed. Of course, that criteria excludes all those nanny-state "progressive" politicians working with less than half a brain that promoted this idiotic legislation.

lexusis350 - 2/21/2008 10:11:23 PM

+1 Boost

B. Hussein Obama is a moron and his cult of followers are either brainwashed or stupid. Quick! Name one accomplishment Hussein Obama has made! (You can't search the Internet for one, either.)

stash84 - 2/23/2008 10:24:05 AM

+1 Boost

man, i thought u were intelligent when u bought an is350 but wow..who are you? chris matthews? obama has accomplished alot in his community and he has made sure that the spending on the war was released to the public amongst other things. just the fact that you use his middle name to try to make your point makes your point worthless, just like your opinion. obama will be the next president whether u like it or not. he is the best candidate and he is actually a real person that is down to earth and logical. he has also raised more money for his campaign than any one else, and alot of it came from donations that were less than 200 dollars. educate yourself..youre the real moron

lexusis350 - 2/21/2008 12:57:40 AM

+4 Boost

I'd believe it. Almost everyone that nearly hits me is a woman on her phone in an SUV that's too big for her to handle already.

EvoAudi - 2/21/2008 1:21:39 AM

+4 Boost

this is aimed at people that make massive hand gestures while they talk.

ceric - 2/21/2008 1:50:47 AM

+4 Boost

At least people using hand-free could use signals...if they choose to.

fuelfool - 2/21/2008 2:53:41 AM

+5 Boost

Good point. Although I suspect that, like the wings of an ostrich, turns signals on cars will soon atrophy and then wither away due to chronic disuse. It's a lost courtesy few seem to bother extending to fellow drivers these days. Of course, it could just be the rude drivers here in Southern California.

no1listensanyway - 2/21/2008 2:02:48 AM

+3 Boost

Yeah I agree, that why we should only text message when we drive now.

SHOWTIME - 2/21/2008 9:07:35 AM

+3 Boost

LOL, yea that's much better

Htay7500 - 2/21/2008 6:39:17 PM

+2 Boost

"Talking on the phone is a basic right so.."

have you tried talking and driving at the same time??

iamdabest1 - 2/21/2008 8:06:36 AM

+3 Boost

some people are capable of driving and talking ...... most arent.
either way we cant live without cell phones anymore so all cars should just have bluetooth standard and just let it be.
many people cant drive ( no confidence, slow, poor reaction....) they still have licenses.

cars are dangerous - seat belts dont make cars safer they just might help in accidents. not everyone gets into accidents while talking all i noticed is people are really slow while talking and dont signal.

SpicyMikey - 2/21/2008 8:28:45 AM

-1 Boost

So talking to a passenger in the seat next to you is not a distraction then? Listening to music isn't a distraction? Smoking a cigarette isn't a distraction?

Let's just make all cars one seaters with no radios and ban smoking. That should do it. Geez!

stash84 - 2/23/2008 10:32:23 AM

+2 Boost

....so u mean a "back seat driver" is NOT dangerous?

...does your level of conversation really require THAT much concentration?? lol

....and how can a chick be hot if shes smoking a cigarrette?

i completely disagree with all of your comments...

oh..and i, for 1, can drive while doing other things, and i do believe that bluetooth technology is safer, i use it all the time but i wouldnt use that ear thing..it must be annoying to use something like that. that would be dangerous to hear a ringing in my ear all of the sudden

JWalkerLegrande - 2/21/2008 9:32:40 AM

+1 Boost

University of Utah

*****
Future Mobile Communications Headquarters
*****

mmeecc - 2/21/2008 2:23:39 PM

+4 Boost

bulldogz

"Most passengers can easily alert the driver about a potential accident, someone on the other end of a phone most likely can't."

Nothing like a distracted passenger to help out a distracted driver avoid an accident, good argument (sarcasm).

Hands-free communication is fine, if you can't do that, than you can't get any distraction at all and you shouldn't be driving.

stash84 - 2/23/2008 10:34:25 AM

+1 Boost

yeah, if you cant use hands-free communication, you shouldnt be driving...obviously

TONYRICH - 2/21/2008 9:43:47 PM

+2 Boost

THEY SHOULD MAKE CELL PHONES THAT CUT OFF WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE.