Another damaging study is out regarding how dangerous it is to talk on the phone while driving. Researchers found that driving while talking, regardless of whether a user is holding the phone or using a hands-free device, is more dangerous than driving drunk. The researchers used a driving simulation device for the study, which is published in the summer 2006 issue of Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factor and Ergonomics Society. Forty volunteers used a driving simulator under four different conditions: while not distracted, while using a mobile handset, while using a hands-free device and while intoxicated with a 0.08 blood-alcohol level. Three of the participants talking on mobile phones rear-ended the simulated car in front of them. None of the intoxicated participants, who had achieved their 0.08 blood-alcohol levels through drinking vodka and orange juice, had an accident, although they drove more aggressively. Yikes.
To read more about the mobile-phone distraction study:
- check out this article from All Headline News