Cell Phones and Driving

Over the past years there has been a hike in new technologies developed, and these devices have made their way into vehicles. Cell phones were first introduced in the U.S. in the mid 1980’s, and have since experienced dramatic growth. Cell phone use while driving should be the concern of motorists and policymakers and have lead policymakers to consider whether the use of cell phone while driving should be regulated or even prohibited. These new technologies often have people regularly engaged in multitasking activities behind the wheel. Unfortunately, these distractions come at a cost of diverting attention away from the primary task of driving. It can be speculated that people who use their cell phones while driving is likely to engage in risky behaviors. However, cell phones are useful technology for people on the move, and that include people operating motor vehicles. Majority of cell phone owners report that they use the technology while driving. However, concerns have been raised that the use of cell phone while driving increases the risks of traffic collisions, property damages, injuries and fatalities. It may however be the case of a person’s emotional state while on phone that contributes to driving erratically. Cell phone conversations do interfere with driving in one way or another, and usually in a negative way. Regulations regarding the use of cell phone while driving should be standardized because of the distractions, emotions, and costs.
Driver distractions are important risk factors associated with road traffic injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cell phones are known distractions (www.edmunds.com). There are different types of driver distractions but there is sufficient subjective evidence that cell phone usage most definitely interfere with driving. However, the effects of phone conversations while driving are still not well understood. The duration of a typical phone conversation is often

References: Simons, D.J., & Chabris, C. F. (1999). Gorillas in our midst: Sustained inattentional blindness for dynamic events