qertbooth.blogg.se - Texting while driving risk vs undistracted

#Texting while driving risk vs undistracted drivers#
#Texting while driving risk vs undistracted driver#
#Texting while driving risk vs undistracted simulator#

“Fortunately, the percentage of drunk drivers at any time is much lower.” said Dr. However, most drunken driving accidents occur late at night when drivers are fatigued and their average blood alcohol content (BAC) levels are also twice the legal. The lack of accidents among the study’s intoxicated drivers may have been because it was conducted in morning hours when participants were well rested. Neither accident rates, nor reaction times to vehicles braking in front of the participant, nor recovery of lost speed following braking differed significantly.

Were twice as likely to brake only four seconds before a collision would have occurred.

Drove a bit more slowly than both undistracted drivers and drivers using cell phones.

None were drunk.)ĭrivers drunk at the 0.08 blood-alcohol level (Three participants rear-ended the pace car.

Were 19% slower to resume normal speed after braking.

Displayed 24% more variation in following distance as their attention switched between driving and conversing.

Motorists who talked on either handheld or hands-free cell phones.

The study found that compared with undistracted drivers: The researchers used a device to measure blood-alcohol levels.

#Texting while driving risk vs undistracted simulator#

The simulator recorded driving speed, following distance, braking time and how long it would take to collide with the pace car if brakes were not used. They were (1) undistracted, (2) drunk, or (3) talking to a research assistant on a cell phone. Other simulated vehicles occasionally passed in the left lane, giving the impression of steady traffic flow.Įach study participant drove the simulator during three sessions. Drivers who fail to hit their brakes eventually rear-end the pace car. The pace car intermittently braked to mimic stop-and-go traffic. Each simulated daylight freeway drive lasted 15 minutes.

#Texting while driving risk vs undistracted driver#

The driver is surrounded by three screens showing freeway scenes. The driving simulator has a steering wheel, dashboard instruments, and brake and gas pedals. The study paid each participant for their 10 hours in the study. Two-thirds used a cell phone while driving. They were social drinkers (three to five drinks per week) recruited via newspaper advertisements. This controlled laboratory study included 25 men and 15 women ages 22 to 34. That calls into question driving regulations that prohibited handheld cell phones and permit hands-free cell phones. Drews.īoth handheld and hands-free cell phones impaired driving, with no significant difference in the degree of impairment. “If legislators really want to address driver distraction, then they should consider outlawing cell phone use while driving.” says Dr. The study reinforced earlier research showing that hands-free cell phones are just as distracting as handheld cell phones Spoiler alert! Drivers who talk on either handheld or hands-free cellular phones are as impaired as drunken drivers. Frank Drews and his colleagues at the University of Utah decided to find out. In the cell phone vs drunk driving battle, which is more dangerous? Cell Phone vs Drunk Drivingĭr.