Cellphone or not, still distracted, still crappy drivers - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 07-03-2003, 10:35 AM

Driving Themselves to Distraction
By Elisa Batista
Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,59478,00.html

02:00 AM Jul. 03, 2003 PT

It's no secret that driving while talking on a cell phone can be hazardous, but the danger may not let up even when the yakking stops, according to a recent study.

In a national survey conducted last month, Response Insurance of Meriden, Connecticut, found that cell-phone users -- even when they weren't talking on their phones in the car -- are more likely than other drivers to be distracted from the road.

The study suggests that cell-phone users who regularly talk on the phone while driving pose a greater risk than drivers who do not, the company said.

The results also imply that cell-phone-using drivers may be more predisposed to be a "distracted driver personality type behind the wheel" than drivers who never talk on the phone while on the road, said Response spokesman Ray Palermo.

"We're somewhat surprised by these results," said Palermo. "It could point to the fact that there is a certain type of driver that is already more likely to be distracted."

For its study, Response asked a group of 1,046 people to answer a series of questions while they were behind the wheel. The idea was to see which questions, if any, seemed to distract the participants from concentrating on the road.

Roughly half of the study's participants had used their cell phones while driving, and 420 of them said they had never done so. None of them was talking on the phone while the study was conducted.

Response found that those who admitted to using cell phones while driving were 56 percent more likely to be distracted behind the wheel while thinking about what to eat than drivers who had never talked on the phone while driving.

The yakking drivers were also:

• 36 percent more likely to be distracted while thinking about relationship issues
• 32 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about their jobs
• 27 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about health concerns
• 21 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about family issues
• 19 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about paying their bills

Advocates for safe driving were not surprised by the inattention displayed by cell-phone users in the study.

Lisa Sheikh, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Driving, said most people talk on their phones while driving to alleviate boredom.

"I am sure there is a good percentage of the population that is just hyperactive people," she said. "It's hard for them to sit still and drive because it's boring ... it's not because they have a call to tend to or business to conduct. Their entertainment is to talk on their cell phones while they drive."

Still, one group took issue with the recent study: the cell-phone industry.

"There are 147 million cell-phone users in the U.S.," said Kimberly Kuo, spokeswoman for the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. "So I find it hard to understand how they would all have a similar personality. I have never seen anything to corroborate that study."

If, as the survey suggests, certain people are more likely to be distracted behind the wheel, then recent attention paid to cell-phone use on the road may be missing the larger issue of driver inattention, Response chairman Mory Katz said.

"Our analysis points to what could be a chronic inattentiveness problem for a specific group of drivers," Katz said. "We hope this information sets the stage for additional research and much more driver education in this area."

Palermo said the study's findings won't prompt his company to change its insurance policy to single out people who use their cell phones while they drive.

That said, he remains intolerant of anyone who drives while chatting on the phone.

"If you are behind the wheel driving 60 miles an hour with three tons of steel under you," Palermo said, "you shouldn't also be reading, drinking a cup of coffee and doing tons of things at once."

----

IMO it seems like people just suck at driving period. It's amazing that people forget that they are in a object of considerable mass traveling at a substatial velocity, and take it lightly enough to do things like apply makeup, read the paper, dunk a doughnut into their coffee, etc.

To say that someone who is a demographic "cellphone user" is more apt to have accidents it just inane. I don't see how they did this study but the axiom correlation does not imply causation.

spectre · 07-03-2003, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
IMO it seems like people just suck at driving period. It's amazing that people forget that they are in a object of considerable mass traveling at a substatial velocity, and take it lightly enough to do things like apply makeup, read the paper, dunk a doughnut into their coffee, etc.

To say that someone who is a demographic "cellphone user" is more apt to have accidents it just inane. I don't see how they did this study but the axiom correlation does not imply causation.

I have to agree with what you've said here. I can't believe some of the stupid shit that I see people doing on the road every day. It's amazing these people haven't gotten killed yet. Cell phone or not, there are a lot of shitty drivers out there.

LittleOralAnnie · 07-03-2003, 06:10 PM

So many people are in a rush these days. They need to slow down and realize whatever it is they are rushing to will wait for them and still be there when they get there, most of the time.

We all took drivers training for a reason, we all know the rules of driving and what is expected of us. How hard is it to stop at a stop sign fully, or to be kind enough to move over so traffic can move onto the highway smoothly?

Cellphones have become a deadly distraction for drivers and I personally feel people who use them, or cause accidents because they were using the phone at the time, should be fined.

I don't see any reason for someone to be using the phone while they are driving down the street. If they need to use the phone, pull over and do it, don't risk someone elses life because that phone call was just so urgent that they couldn't wait to speak until they got to where they were going.

BBtB · 07-05-2003, 10:20 AM

Some people are just bad drivers. I would say, yea, I believe that there are thoughtless drivers out there that are more likely to use their cell phone while driving and at the same time just more likely to get in a wreck. Of course I talk on the cell phone and drive (always short conversations and I drive fine... I can do more then one thing at once)

Stare At The Sun · 07-06-2003, 09:56 AM

Im honestly suprised that more accidents dont happen daily. I mean i see people reading a newspaper, a book, doing there makeup, etc, thats crazy, what ever happened to doing that shit at home. Alas, if one of those bitches ever hit me, it would be major lawsuit time...

Other than that, there are a lot of crappy drivers, regardless of whether they are on cell's or not.

BentNotTwisted · 08-07-2003, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LittleOralAnnie
Cellphones have become a deadly distraction for drivers and I personally feel people who use them, or cause accidents because they were using the phone at the time, should be fined.

Severely.

One thing that most people don't think about is if the person they are on the phone with is using a cell phone while driving. You know the old saying 'Are you sitting down?' when you give someone bad news? Well, how about asking 'Are you driving?' A coworker of mine was hit crossing the street recently. She never saw it coming. She was crossing at the light and had the walk light in her favor. Some woman driving while talking on a cell phone made a left turn right into her. Fortunately the driver had the sense to slam on the brakes and not run my friend over completely. After the dust settled it was determined the driver of the car had just been told her husband had cancer. Apparently she was so distraught she didn't see my friend in the middle of the street. Apparently the idiot breaking the news to the driver didn't consider the consequences of their actions.

remiel · 08-07-2003, 02:24 PM

they need to toughen up the driving test. They let any old asshole onto the road these days.

ninety09 · 08-07-2003, 02:33 PM

In order to be a good driver, all you need is to concentrate on the road.

cetacean · 08-07-2003, 04:17 PM

I'm glad I live in the city and don't have to comute anymore...

TerraFORM · 08-07-2003, 06:01 PM

Well, using a cell phone while driving competes for the resources needed to ensure safe vehicle operation. While some might be able to manage the resource/demand ratio better than others, I for one don't want to rely on people's better judgement. For, in my experience, people are generally too busy to care.

07-03-2003, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	Cellphone or not, still distracted, still crappy drivers Driving Themselves to Distraction By Elisa Batista Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,59478,00.html 02:00 AM Jul. 03, 2003 PT It's no secret that driving while talking on a cell phone can be hazardous, but the danger may not let up even when the yakking stops, according to a recent study. In a national survey conducted last month, Response Insurance of Meriden, Connecticut, found that cell-phone users -- even when they weren't talking on their phones in the car -- are more likely than other drivers to be distracted from the road. The study suggests that cell-phone users who regularly talk on the phone while driving pose a greater risk than drivers who do not, the company said. The results also imply that cell-phone-using drivers may be more predisposed to be a "distracted driver personality type behind the wheel" than drivers who never talk on the phone while on the road, said Response spokesman Ray Palermo. "We're somewhat surprised by these results," said Palermo. "It could point to the fact that there is a certain type of driver that is already more likely to be distracted." For its study, Response asked a group of 1,046 people to answer a series of questions while they were behind the wheel. The idea was to see which questions, if any, seemed to distract the participants from concentrating on the road. Roughly half of the study's participants had used their cell phones while driving, and 420 of them said they had never done so. None of them was talking on the phone while the study was conducted. Response found that those who admitted to using cell phones while driving were 56 percent more likely to be distracted behind the wheel while thinking about what to eat than drivers who had never talked on the phone while driving. The yakking drivers were also: • 36 percent more likely to be distracted while thinking about relationship issues • 32 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about their jobs • 27 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about health concerns • 21 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about family issues • 19 percent more likely to be distracted when thinking about paying their bills Advocates for safe driving were not surprised by the inattention displayed by cell-phone users in the study. Lisa Sheikh, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Driving, said most people talk on their phones while driving to alleviate boredom. "I am sure there is a good percentage of the population that is just hyperactive people," she said. "It's hard for them to sit still and drive because it's boring ... it's not because they have a call to tend to or business to conduct. Their entertainment is to talk on their cell phones while they drive." Still, one group took issue with the recent study: the cell-phone industry. "There are 147 million cell-phone users in the U.S.," said Kimberly Kuo, spokeswoman for the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. "So I find it hard to understand how they would all have a similar personality. I have never seen anything to corroborate that study." If, as the survey suggests, certain people are more likely to be distracted behind the wheel, then recent attention paid to cell-phone use on the road may be missing the larger issue of driver inattention, Response chairman Mory Katz said. "Our analysis points to what could be a chronic inattentiveness problem for a specific group of drivers," Katz said. "We hope this information sets the stage for additional research and much more driver education in this area." Palermo said the study's findings won't prompt his company to change its insurance policy to single out people who use their cell phones while they drive. That said, he remains intolerant of anyone who drives while chatting on the phone. "If you are behind the wheel driving 60 miles an hour with three tons of steel under you," Palermo said, "you shouldn't also be reading, drinking a cup of coffee and doing tons of things at once." ---- IMO it seems like people just suck at driving period. It's amazing that people forget that they are in a object of considerable mass traveling at a substatial velocity, and take it lightly enough to do things like apply makeup, read the paper, dunk a doughnut into their coffee, etc. To say that someone who is a demographic "cellphone user" is more apt to have accidents it just inane. I don't see how they did this study but the axiom correlation does not imply causation. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

07-05-2003, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
BBtB ClerkMan! Location: Tulsa, Ok.	Some people are just bad drivers. I would say, yea, I believe that there are thoughtless drivers out there that are more likely to use their cell phone while driving and at the same time just more likely to get in a wreck. Of course I talk on the cell phone and drive (always short conversations and I drive fine... I can do more then one thing at once) __________________ Meridae'n once played "death" at a game of chess that lasted for over two years. He finally beat death in a best 34 out of 67 match. At that time he could ask for any one thing and he could wish for the hope of all mankind... he looked death right in the eye and said ... "I would like about three fiddy"

08-07-2003, 02:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
remiel Insane Location: Gastonia NC	they need to toughen up the driving test. They let any old asshole onto the road these days. __________________ "Then said Joseph to St. Mary, henceforth we will not allow him to go out of the house; for every one who displeases him is killed." Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ, 20:16

07-03-2003, 06:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
LittleOralAnnie Banned	So many people are in a rush these days. They need to slow down and realize whatever it is they are rushing to will wait for them and still be there when they get there, most of the time. We all took drivers training for a reason, we all know the rules of driving and what is expected of us. How hard is it to stop at a stop sign fully, or to be kind enough to move over so traffic can move onto the highway smoothly? Cellphones have become a deadly distraction for drivers and I personally feel people who use them, or cause accidents because they were using the phone at the time, should be fined. I don't see any reason for someone to be using the phone while they are driving down the street. If they need to use the phone, pull over and do it, don't risk someone elses life because that phone call was just so urgent that they couldn't wait to speak until they got to where they were going.

07-06-2003, 09:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Somewhere over the rainbow	Im honestly suprised that more accidents dont happen daily. I mean i see people reading a newspaper, a book, doing there makeup, etc, thats crazy, what ever happened to doing that shit at home. Alas, if one of those bitches ever hit me, it would be major lawsuit time... Other than that, there are a lot of crappy drivers, regardless of whether they are on cell's or not.

08-07-2003, 02:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
ninety09 Flavour of the Weak Location: Canada	In order to be a good driver, all you need is to concentrate on the road.

08-07-2003, 04:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
cetacean Insane Location: New York, NY	I'm glad I live in the city and don't have to comute anymore...

08-07-2003, 06:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
TerraFORM Crazy Location: Virginia	Well, using a cell phone while driving competes for the resources needed to ensure safe vehicle operation. While some might be able to manage the resource/demand ratio better than others, I for one don't want to rely on people's better judgement. For, in my experience, people are generally too busy to care.