Posted on 05/09/2009 2:33:53 PM PDT by antiunion person
Several studies have shown that distractions while driving, such as using cell phones or texting, can be dangerous. New research confirms these findings among teens.
The study of 21 teens in a driving simulator found that while texting or searching their MP3 music players they changed speed dramatically, wove in an out of their lanes, and, in some cases, ran over virtual pedestrians.
Similar studies have found that adults who talk on cell phones while driving in simulators perform as dismally as drunken study participants. Studies from the University of Utah show that hands-free devices do not make it safe to use cell phones while driving.
In January, the National Safety Council called on state and federal lawmakers to ban the use of cell phones and text-messaging devices while driving and also urged businesses to prohibit it.
The problem is acute among younger people.
Motor vehicle accidents are leading cause of death for people between 16 and 20, accounting for more than 5,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teens are four times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a crash.
The new study included 21 subjects between 16 and 18 years of age with at least six months driving experience. Anyone diagnosed with an attention disorder or with history of unsafe driving was excluded, as were teens who reported use of alcohol or excessive amounts of caffeine. Each driver completed four separate 10-minute driving blocks: Undistracted, talking on a cell phone, text messaging and using an MP3 player. Each 10-minute block was separated into two separate driving scenarios, rural and urban.
The results for the teens sending text messages or fiddling with their MP3 players showed increased "lane position deviation" and speed changes, mostly slowing down.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
So how do they know that they just didn’t run over the virtual pedestrians on purpose?
For me even grabing a can of soda and taking a sip causes me to drive dangerously. I have however mastered to drive one handed while changing the radio stations with the other.
This is old news. The original Canadian study from 10-12 years ago said pretty much the same thing.
A past acquaintance’s 16 year old daughter died while texting and driving last July. The girl she was texting back and fourth with felt awful when she found out why that last text was not answered.
Think about it: statistically, over half the people on the road are so stupid they voted for Obama.
And remember half of all drivers are women.
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