Cell phones as dangerous as drunk driving

Is having a cell phone pressed to your ear while behind the wheel the equivalent of driving while intoxicated? According to a study by University of Utah psychologists, the answer is, unfortunately, yes.

"Just like you put yourself and other people at risk when you drive drunk, you put yourself and others at risk when you use a cell phone and drive," writes David Strayer, a psychology professor and the study's lead author. "The level of impairment is very similar."

The study, published in the June 29 issue of Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, found that drivers talking on cell phones, either handheld or hands-free, are more likely to crash because they are distracted by conversation.

Using a driving simulator under four different conditions: with no distractions, using a handheld cell phone, talking on a hands-free cell phone, and while intoxicated to the 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level, 40 participants followed a simulated pace car that braked intermittently.

Researchers found that the drivers on cell phones drove more slowly, braked more slowly and were more likely to crash. In fact, the three participants who collided into the pace car were chatting away. None of the drunken drivers crashed.

"This study does not mean people should start driving drunk," said co-author Frank Drews. "It means that driving while talking on a cell phone is as bad as or maybe worse than driving drunk, which is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by society."

Preliminary results from the study were announced three years ago.

[geeljay]

Absolute nonsense to say using a phone whilst driving is as bad as drunk driving. You delavue your own silly statement. Drink-drive or drugs-drive IMPAIRS ones abilty to perform properly. If sober and talking, all of our senses are at maximum alert and awareness. 2 of 6 drivers in Torbay, between 4-6pm are on mobiles, whilst driving. More important is to keep eyes on road, and react to the visual image you have whilst driving. Most skilled drivers drive and react automatically, and 99.9 of 100, with full safety to others.

[amandamee]

You must be one of the drivers on the road, chatting away on your cell phone. :) Those who do, think it's fine. Those of us who refrain on the road, however, know the truth. I have been cut off, merged into, side swiped, and even HIT by people on cell phones. They run stop signs, speed, and change lanes without checking for other cars. (Hard to turn your head that far with a cell phone attached to your ear I guess.) Drivers on cell phones are dangerous. Period.

[mmddurangort]

and you must be someone who pays no attention to those around them. if you see someone on there phone be aware. period. i talk on the phone all the time. i never run a stop sign. i speed becuase im imatiant. and i have notice other people drive slower than normal when they talk on the phone. i alway look and use my blinker when i change lanes. its not people who talk on cells phones ITS BAD DRIVERS! theres alot of them out there. you might be one of them.

[ashMAnashley]

If you see someone on thier phone, YOUR soposed to be aware? your kidding right. everyone on the road should be aware. PERIOD! im not somposed to pay extra attetion just becuase someone cant wait to chat it up with buddy. thats truely rediculous!

[tnt181]

0.08 isn't that drunk