NationStates Jolt Archive

Young Cell Phone Users Drive Like Elderly, Study Says

Brian Handwerk
National Geographic News

February 2, 2005
Young drivers who use cell phones at the wheel drive like the elderly—with slower reaction times and an increased risk of accidents—a new study shows. And what's more, hands-free phones are no safer than handheld ones, scientists behind the study say.

"If you put a 20-year-old driver behind the wheel with a cell phone, their reaction times are the same as a 70-year-old driver who is not using a cell phone," said David Strayer, a University of Utah psychology professor and principal author of the study.


So if you're using a cell phone while you drive, you drive worse than ME! LOL!

i dont buy this....obviously it slows your reaction times if you are talking on the phone, but its the same as carrying on a conversation with the person in the passenger seat, or listening to the radio...or having screaming kids in the car

all of them affect concentration, and its wrong to zone in on mobiles

I have to agree, its pretty damn hard to drive while on a cell phone. Especially since I drive a stick shift.

Has anyone checked to see if a conversation with a passenger has the same effect? In NJ they've banned driving while talking on a cell phone (unless it has a hands-free unit). If a conversation with a passenger causes the same problems (and I can't see why it wouldn't) perhaps they should ban car pooling.

i dont buy this....obviously it slows your reaction times if you are talking on the phone, but its the same as carrying on a conversation with the person in the passenger seat, or listening to the radio...or having screaming kids in the car

all of them affect concentration, and its wrong to zone in on mobiles
There is a difference between talking to a person with you in the car, and someone on the phone. They are just as likely to see a danger coming as you are, someone on a phone would just serve as a distraction in that situation. Listening to the radio? Maybe screwing with the controls, but a little music hardly provides a significant distraction. As for yelling at kids, that probably a bigger distraction than a cell phone. Problem is you can't stop people from yelling at kids while driving.

There is a difference between talking to a person with you in the car, and someone on the phone. They are just as likely to see a danger coming as you are, someone on a phone would just serve as a distraction in that situation.

you want to bet?

you try driving my brother about - doesnt pay attention to whats happening on the road, neither do any of my friends, my parents etc (only when being driven, theyre all decent drivers)

I still maintain that passengers can cause just as much distraction - especially when you see people carrying on a full blown debate with their passengers, waving there arms about etc

or an argument over what turning to take. anything like that would provide a distraction just as large as a mobile phone - at least with a mobile you can put it down if you need to, a passenger would just keep on talking


Listening to the radio? Maybe screwing with the controls, but a little music hardly provides a significant distraction.

You havent heard some of the stereos that chavs put in their cars...how they ever concentrate on driving ill never know

As for yelling at kids, that probably a bigger distraction than a cell phone. Problem is you can't stop people from yelling at kids while driving.

i know you cant, but its wrong to home in on a mobile phone...i can drive perfectly well round town with an ear piece in...i am capable of driving and holding a conversation at the same time

Yeah, they drive like they f**k!

Slow and sloppy!!!

Obligatory "Cool stuff I've seen that you haven't" link (http://crap.jinwicked.com/?j=182).

Because I actually worked for five hours straight yesterday, as much as I usually work all week. Thus, I need to waste doubletime so I can finish my CS homework before the weekend.

Yeah, they drive like they f**k!

Slow and sloppy!!!

Who does? People using cell phones? Heh!

i dont buy this....obviously it slows your reaction times if you are talking on the phone, but its the same as carrying on a conversation with the person in the passenger seat, or listening to the radio...or having screaming kids in the car

all of them affect concentration, and its wrong to zone in on mobiles

Mobiles require a hand to use, screaming kids, mothers in law, the pig that fell off the lorry in front of you, all these are hands free devices. The interesting comparison would be with men using shavers.

Mobiles require a hand to use, screaming kids, mothers in law, the pig that fell off the lorry in front of you, all these are hands free devices. The interesting comparison would be with men using shavers.
youve never heard of a hands free device?

youve never heard of a hands free device?

You did not specify that, nor does the report. Using a hands free device I would believe to be not problematic at all. I have however, followed too many jerks trying to shift and steer all at the same time with one hand, while they hold their precious mobile to their ear with the other.

You did not specify that, nor does the report. Using a hands free device I would believe to be not problematic at all. I have however, followed too many jerks trying to shift and steer all at the same time with one hand, while they hold their precious mobile to their ear with the other.
the report says:

what's more, hands-free phones are no safer than handheld ones, scientists behind the study say.

which is quite frankly a pile of bullshit