wilebill
01-05-2008, 11:11 PM
Cell phone-using drivers not only dangerous, but a drag on traffic (http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7863892?source=rss)
Driving while chatting on that cell phone isn't just dangerous, it's also a drag on traffic, University of Utah researchers conclude.
A team of psychology and engineering specialists at the U. parked undergraduate students in front of driving simulators and put them on hands-free mobile phones. The result is that the distracted drivers moved more slowly and were less likely to switch lanes when there was a clear advantage in doing so, the researchers reported Wednesday.
Multiplied by the many people who might be talking while driving in any given rush hour, the findings indicate that mobile phones are slowing many commutes.
"That S.O.B. on the cell phone is slowing you down and making you late," states lead researcher Dave Strayer, a professor of psychology.
The study found that chatty freeway drivers on average drove 2 mph slower than others and spent up to 31 percent more time following closely behind other slow drivers instead of passing. They also were slower to regain freeway speeds after braking.
They're also usually so busy talking on the phone that they don't even notice me flipping them off.
Driving while chatting on that cell phone isn't just dangerous, it's also a drag on traffic, University of Utah researchers conclude.
A team of psychology and engineering specialists at the U. parked undergraduate students in front of driving simulators and put them on hands-free mobile phones. The result is that the distracted drivers moved more slowly and were less likely to switch lanes when there was a clear advantage in doing so, the researchers reported Wednesday.
Multiplied by the many people who might be talking while driving in any given rush hour, the findings indicate that mobile phones are slowing many commutes.
"That S.O.B. on the cell phone is slowing you down and making you late," states lead researcher Dave Strayer, a professor of psychology.
The study found that chatty freeway drivers on average drove 2 mph slower than others and spent up to 31 percent more time following closely behind other slow drivers instead of passing. They also were slower to regain freeway speeds after braking.
They're also usually so busy talking on the phone that they don't even notice me flipping them off.