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CELL PHONES AND DRIVING
Course Information
Course Author: Teresa Patton, Training Administration
Course Issued: January 18, 2007
Course Credit: 30 minutes
ORACLE Course Code: SAF155000
Data Sources:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, website
Drive Now Chat Later, website
Insurance Information Institute, November 2006
Consumer Affairs, June 2006
Insweb, website
ScienCentralNews, website
National Safety Council, website
Performance Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify the most frequent behavior distracting to drivers.
2. Identify the four kinds of driving distractions.3. Describe the benefits of cell phones in automobiles.4. Understand the dangers of using a cell phone while
driving.5. Discuss the option of hand-held and hands-free cellular
phones.6. Discuss safety tips with respect to cell phone use while
driving.
Introduction
Did you know . . .
An average cellular conversation lasts 2.15 minutes
Introduction
As of October 2006, according to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, over 224 million people in the United States used cell phones compared with approximately 4.3 million in 1990.
Introduction (cont.)
Telephones in automobiles can be a lifesaver when emergency services need to be immediately contacted after an accident. In non-emergency situations, they can be a life-enhancing tool if operated in a proper and sensible manner.
Cell Phones and Driving
In addition to cell phones reducing emergency response times and saving lives, they also enable motorists to quickly notify authorities of road hazards, congestion, or problem drivers. When it comes to a roadside mechanical problem, cell phones enhance drivers’ personal security by allowing them to contact help immediately.
Cell Phones and Driving
Anyone who has been in a car lately knows that it is common to see another driver maneuvering through traffic with one hand pressed against his or her ear.
As cell phones have gained in popularity, they have become a growing concern with respect to highway safety.
Cell Phones and Driving
Driving can be difficult enough even when you concentrate completely on the road. But driving while you dial a phone or balance it to your ear can be distracting and potentially dangerous. Car phones may be convenient for those who own them, but if not used properly, drivers with car phones are a danger to themselves and everyone on the road.
Cell Phones and Driving
A recent report conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute identifies cell use as the most frequent behavior distracting drivers.
Cell Phones and Driving
Did you know . . .
At 55 miles per hour, a vehicle travels the length of a football field in 3.7 seconds – less time than it takes to dial a phone number.
Cell Phones and Driving
Did you know . . .
Drivers on Cell Phones
• Are twice as likely to miss a traffic signal
• Their reaction time is slower to the signals they do detect
• Their risk of causing a crash increases by 400%
• A study found that the level of impairment is very similar to a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent, which is the minimum level that defines illegal drunken driving in most U.S. states
Cell Phones and Driving
Hands-Free Does Not Mean Risk-Free
If you’re not holding a phone in your hand while driving, surely you’re more able to react to a potential driving emergency. Aren’t you?
Studies are revealing that there’s really no difference between using hands-free phones and hand-held phones while driving.
When people are talking on a cell phone, their reactions are slowed by about 20%. It turns out that the main problem isn’t in the driver’s hands; it’s in his head.
Cell Phones and Driving
Experts say that there are basically four kinds of driving distractions:
• Visual Looking away from the roadway would be an example of this.
• Biomechanical This includes manipulating a control such as dialing a phone and is often associated with a visual
distraction.
• Auditory Being startled by a ringing phone for instance.
• Cognitive An example we have all had is the experience of traveling from point A to point B and then realizing that we aren’t sure how we got there or what happened in between. Being “lost in thought” or being in a focused conversation with someone causes us to withdraw from situational awareness.
Cell Phones and Driving
Let’s look at the cognitive distraction a little more closely:
How is talking on a phone different than talking with a passenger in the vehicle? There are two important differences.
The first is that a passenger in a vehicle is aware of the driving situation and can even serve as an additional look-out for hazards. If there is a needed pause in conversation, the reasons are apparent.
The second is that phone use seems to carry a certain obligation of immediacy. When the phone rings, we feel compelled to answer it – whether it is convenient, safe or appropriate to do so. We focus on the phone call and lose the situational awareness that is necessary for safe driving.
Cell Phones and Driving
One study indicated that drivers did not even realize that they were not really “seeing” everything in front of them on the road. They thought they were driving perfectly safe and figured that if anyone had a problem driving while using a cell phone, it would be “the other guy.”
Further research shows that drivers are rarely aware of their own poor performance while talking on the phone, but have observed others driving haphazardly while on the phone. This would suggest that a consequence of using the phone while driving is that it makes a driver unaware of his or her own impairment. Much like an alcoholic feels sure that he/she drives fine while intoxicated.
Cell Phones and Driving
Did you know . . .
• Drove slightly slower
• Were 9% slower to hit the brakes
• Were 19% slower to resume normal speed after braking
• Displayed 24% more variation in following distance as their attention switched between driving and conversing
• The number of crashes and near-crashes attributable to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening. Dialing is more dangerous but occurs less often than talking or listening.
Drivers who talked either on handheld or hands-free phones
Cell Phones and Driving
If for some reason you have no alternative but to use a cellular phone while driving, here are some tips:
• Make safe driving your first priority. Keep calls short and factual.• Position your phone where it is easy to see and reach.• Familiarize yourself with the phone’s operation while the car is
parked.• Use the speed dial feature for frequently called numbers.• Pull over and dial manually.• Stay in the right-hand lane, where driving may be less demanding.• Never take notes while driving. Pull off the road if you must read or
write.• Use voice mail to pick up your calls if it is inconvenient or unsafe to
answer the car phone.
Cell Phones and Driving
Drivers must use common sense and sound judgment when operating a motor vehicle – particularly when using a cell phone. They are responsible for the control of their vehicles at all times.
Keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on the driving.
Course Review
Self-Test
Course ReviewSelf-Test
Question #1 – True or False
Cell phones can serve as a useful tool to drivers.
Click for answer
True. Cell phones reduce emergency response times. If a roadside mechanical problem arises, drivers are able to contact help immediately.
Course ReviewSelf-Test
Question #2 – True or False
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute identified fiddling with the car radio as the most frequent behavior distracting drivers.
Click for answer
False. Cell phone use was identified as the most frequent behavior that distract drivers.
Course ReviewSelf-Test
Question #3: True or False
Hands-Free Does Not Mean Risk-Free
Click for answer
True. Studies are revealing that there’s really no difference between using hands-free phones and hand-held phones while driving.
Course ReviewSelf-Test
Question #4: True or False
Experts say there are basically three kinds of driving distractions – visual, biomechanical and auditory.
Click for answer
False. There are four kinds of driving distractions:
• Visual• Biomechanical• Auditory• Cognitive
Course ReviewSelf-Test
Question #5: True or False
Recent studies indicate that drivers conversing on cell phones did not even realize that they were not “seeing” everything in front of them on the road.
Click for answer
True
Course ReviewSelf-Test
Question #6: True or False
Drivers who talk on either hand-held or hands-free phones tend to drive slightly faster.
False. Drivers tend to drive slightly slower.
Click for answer
Course ReviewSelf-Test
Question #7: True or False
Use voice mail to pick up your calls if it is inconvenient or unsafe to answer the car phone.
Click for answer
True
Conclusion
RememberYou’ll survive a missed phone call; you might not survive a collision! Or sadly you could be the cause of a fatal accident.
A careless driver on a cell phone blazed through a red light at 55 mph and struck this car. The owner of this car was going 20 mph attempting to make a left turn towards home. Her car was pushed 40 feet and her neck was broken in 2 places. She is survived by her fiancé, 1 brother, 2 daughters, and a grandson.
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