According to a new study by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), using a hands-free mobile phone system while driving is equally as distracting as holding the device in your hand.
For the study, the university’s Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety (CARRS-Q) used its own in-house driving simulator, measuring the effects of mobile phone use on driver safety including reaction time and driving performance. The virtual simulation included a pedestrian entering the driver’s peripheral vision from a walking path, before proceeding to cross the road.
“The reaction time of drivers participating in either a handheld or hands-free conversation was more than 40% longer than those not using a phone,” said Shimul Haque from QUT’s School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment.
“In real terms this equates to a delayed response distance of about 11 m for a vehicle travelling at 40km/h,” he continued, adding that student drivers required double the reaction time of fully-licensed drivers.
The concentration or cognitive load required to hold a phone conversation is the main cause of the distraction, Haque stated, adding that it wasn’t so much on whether the driver was holding a phone in their hands.
“Distracted drivers on average reduced the speed of their vehicle faster and more abruptly than non-distracted drivers, exhibiting excess braking. While the driver is likely to be compensating for the perceived risk of talking and driving, the abrupt or excessive braking by distracted drivers poses a safety concern to following vehicles,” Haque said.
“Again these findings highlight a need to consider mobile phone use laws in response to interventions to reduce rear-end crashes,” he added in the report by CarAdvice. Which beggars the question: should mobile phone use while driving be banned completely?
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Hence the reason why automakers build autonomous braking n pedestrian sensing cars. Soon we won’t even need to touch the steering wheel while driving.
AEB cannot sense pedestrians that suddenly appear in front. Still need humans.
What about the effects of talking to your passenger? Any research?
Having a bunch of people on board and having animated discussions are equally dangerous. Both my rear ending fender benders due to this, first was a bunch of aunties going for tai chi and second was a bunch of young ciku students driving their daddy or mummy’s car.
Yup… Agreed… Bt law enforcement (non existent) and a responsible society (hahaha!) are the way to go…
Im not sure if autonomous driving is the answer,costs and complications are a factor
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Locally, we still havent mastered the art of signaling when turning…
Forget it man, signalling is a dying art. The future is predicting how the other driver is going to react. I think we’re getting pretty good at that. :) :P
I predict drivers on the road r @ssh0les, and im proven right everytime.
This is true. No need to do research human beings should have known because when we talk we may use both left and right brain making confusions to our decision making whether to accelerate or brake, making a turn or go straight
This is one of the reasons why Royal Dutch Shell prohibits both their employees and contractors from using mobile phone while driving – not even bluetooth kit is allowed! It is part of their 12 LSR (Life Saving Rules).
You will get a stern warning for first offence, and formal dismissal for second offence. As simple as that.
How about enforcing anti smoking laws while driving? Even police smoke whilst driving their patrol cars. Let’s then also ban passengers in cars as it will also cause distractions. Why stop there? Ban radios too. Stupid research by a stupid Australian uni.