Drivers on cell phones are as bad as drunk drivers

Cell Phone Usage While Driving

Is It As Dangerous As Drunk Driving? Psychologists Agree.

It has been a debate that has gone on for some time now - whether to ban cell phones while driving. DrivingMBA asks the question, “Is cell phone usage as dangerous as drunk driving on the road?” Utah psychologists, the National Safety Council and others around the nation say yes.

A study that garnered the media's wide attention showed that drivers who talk on hand-held or hands-free cellular devices, or worse yet, text messaging, are as impaired as drunken drivers. Results stated that talking on the phone leads to a 30% reduction in reaction time. Text messaging, according to the National Safety Council, takes a driver’s eyes off the road 40% more often than if the driver was not texting.

“We found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on the cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit,” said Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Utah. “If legislators really want to address driver distraction, then they should consider outlawing cell phone use while driving.”This study didn’t just analyze teens, it stated that all drivers, novice or experienced, become easily distracted while driving and talking on a cell phone. It is not the actual cell phone in hand that’s the distracting part, but the conversation itself.In order for legislators to ban cell phone use while driving completely, certain steps need to occur.

If you're interested in making a change, team up with others in your community and contact your local congressmen.

To read the complete study on cell phone usage while driving, click here. To read more articles about teen driving, click here.