NationStates Jolt Archive


.08 BAC safer than talking on the phone!

B0zzy
30-06-2006, 18:28
Dangerous phones or safer drunks? - YOU make the call!


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201586,00.html

Blood tests and breathalyzers were used to measure alcohol levels of 0.08 percent — the minimum that defines illegal drunken driving in most U.S. states.

Those talking on either handheld or hands-free cell phones drove slightly more slowly, were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes when necessary, showed 24 percent more variation in following distance and were 19 percent slower to resume normal speed after braking.

Three study participants rear-ended the virtual pace car while talking.

Those who were drunk drove a bit more slowly than both undistracted drivers and drivers using cell phones, yet they drove more aggressively.

They followed the pace car more closely, were twice as likely to brake only four seconds before a collision would have occurred, and hit their brakes with 23 percent more force.

But nobody crashed while plastered.

HEre it is - a 'study' done by prohibitionist who also want to dictate to you when you can or cannot speak to someone. A good number of experts agree that .08 is a ridiculously low threshold for testing intoxication. http://www.drivers.com/article/144 http://www.ncdd.com/dsp_articledetails.cfm?article=12

Yet here we are - proving once again that the reality is not nearly so important as the intent. Once more sliver of your rights headed down the drain...
Teh_pantless_hero
30-06-2006, 18:30
Mythbusters tested this, but their method was questionable - instead of just casually talking on the phone, they grilled whoever was driving with SAT/ACT like questions.
B0zzy
30-06-2006, 18:46
questions like - "What is the unlaiden airspeed of a swallow?" ?

Actually - that is really interesting - do you have a link?
B0zzy
30-06-2006, 21:53
no link?
Ilie
30-06-2006, 23:13
I'm B0zzy!
I'm the first girl to scream on a track,
I switched up the beat of the drum,
That's right, I brought all the boys to the yard,
And that's right, I'm the one that's tattooed on his arm,
I'm B0zzy!
I'm the chick y'all love to hate,
I'm the chick that's raised the stake,
I told young stunna he should switch debate,
I'm back with an 808, cause I'm B0zzy!
B0zzy
30-06-2006, 23:32
Heh - Actually 'Bozzy' was the name of the cat who belonged to the guitar player in a club band I played in back in the 80s. Bozzy was - quit possibly - the coolest cat ever. Jay would hold the cat with it's front paws in one hand and back paws in the other hand and saw back and forth across the chair armrest and the thing would purr up a storm. On occasion 'Bozzy' was seen - with Jay's 'help' - prancing across the horizon like one of Santa's reindeer just before the armrest treatment.
WC Imperial Court
01-07-2006, 00:01
Dangerous phones or safer drunks? - YOU make the call!
hehehe, make the call! i love unintentional puns.

Neither is particularly safe. Drivers shouldnt drink before getting behind the wheel, and if at all possible, they should avoid distractions while driving, too. In a perfect world, thats how it would be. For now, I guess hands-free is at least an improvement.