Cell Phone Driving - The Truth About the Psychological Effects

The dangers of cell phone driving have been in constant debate for at least the past decade. Some experts show proof that it's an extremely dangerous activity, while others claim it isn't dangerous at all. The answer lies somewhere in the middle as each person handles the mental challenge differently.

Traditional studies claim that the physical act of holding cellular devices results in decreased vehicle control. The loss of control occurs due to having one hand available for steering instead of two. They also argue that peripheral vision is negatively affected and even head movement becomes limited. These were all fairly valid arguments at one time and it lead to the creation of hands free devices.

But now, the thinking has shifted. Safety experts are beginning to discover that while hands free devices limit the risk to some extent, there is something more going on. It isn't simply the device which is posing a threat; rather the effects may be more of a psychological issue instead of a physical one.

Proponents argue that talking on a hands free device is no different than talking to a passenger in the car, and thus, is perfectly safe. The problem with this theory is that talking with a passenger is actually considered a major form of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has listed passengers as one of the top forms of vehicle distractions, increasing the risk of a crash by about 60%. Most states have even implemented a graduated licensing program for teen drivers, which limit the number of passengers a new driver may carry. So by arguing that hands free devices simulate talking to physical passengers, advocates are unknowingly admitting that cell phone driving is a dangerous activity.

But the adverse safety effects don't stop there. Unlike with a physical passenger, an individual on a cell phone is unable to see, hear, or feel any type of hazard. When a passenger sees a complex driving situation, the normal reaction is to stop talking or change the tone of their voice. The same is true if a passenger feels strong brake applications or hears warning sounds such as screeching tires, sirens, or a blaring horn. Those speaking through a cell phone will continue to talk normally, especially if a noise canceling hands free device is used by the driver. This dramatically impedes the mental capacity required for drivers to make complex split second decisions and impairs reaction time.

Some argue that cell phones are being unfairly targeted by lawmakers while other driving distractions are being ignored. However, cell phone driving poses a unique problem. With other forms of distracted driving, such as reaching for an object or tuning a radio station, the distraction is usually short lived. Cell phone use is typically a long term distraction, dramatically increasing the psychological effects and the resulting risks to driver safety.

There is now widespread knowledge that cell phone driving poses major psychological issues and increases accident rates, but one major question still remains. Are crashes involving cellular devices coincidental or is the distraction a direct cause of car accidents? One study done by a Toronto, Canada safety firm (Redelmeier & Tibshirani) obtained cellular billing records for approximately 700 drivers who were hospitalized after a vehicle crash. The study was to determine how many of those drivers were talking on a cellular device at the time of an accident. The conclusion indicated that drivers using a cell phone up to 10 minutes before the crash were associated with a fourfold increased likelihood of being involved in an accident. Several separate studies show very similar results.

Cell phone driving is used by most people to save time and provide entertainment. However, the psychological issues and associated safety concerns posed to the general public will result in additional laws and regulations to combat these issues. The question now is whether such laws will be effective in our increasingly connected society. As 75% of motorists admit to cell phone driving, the odds are certainly stacked against safety advocates.