Are We Being Driven to Distraction?
The research presented in this paper indicates the use of cell phones disrupts driving performance by diverting attention from the processing of the information immediately associated with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Similar patterns of interference were observed for hand-held and hands-free cell phones. The findings suggest that polices that restrict hand-held devices but permitted hands-free devices are not well grounded. The question of what is the position on regulatory issues concerning cell-phone induced driver distraction is often asked. Clearly, the safest course of action is to pull over and park in a safe location before making or taking a call. However, regulatory issues are best left in the hands of legislators who are provided with the latest scientific evidence. It is cautioned however, that as more cognitively engaging technology makes it way into the vehicle, the potential for even more severe driver distraction will increase. In the long run, skillfully crafted regulation and better driver education addressing driver distraction will be essential to keep the roadways safe.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Published by the Center for Public Policy and Administration, University of Utah, 2003 Public Policy Perspectives, Vol. 16, 1-2.
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Corporate Authors:
University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Department of Psychology
380 South 1530 East
Salt Lake City, UT United States 84106 -
Authors:
- Strayer, David L
- Drews, Frank A
- JOHNSON, W A
- Publication Date: 2003-6
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Pagination: 2p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Behavior; Cellular telephones; Distraction; Driver education; Electronics; Highway safety; Traffic signals
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01026556
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jul 3 2006 7:10AM