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enjoy the silence March 12, 2008

Posted by ocmpoma in : society , trackback

James Hrynyshyn over at The Island of Doubt has a post up on the danger of using a cell phone while driving. He makes a point to note that using hands-free phones makes no difference in the amount of distraction posed, and quotes a Carnegie Mellon study as saying that “[t]he findings show that language comprehension performed concurrently with driving draws mental resources away from the driving and produces deterioration in driving performance, even when it does not require holding or dialing a phone.” (emphasis mine -oc)

Now, I completely agree with the post: talking on a cell phone has been demonstrated by many studies to distract drivers and increase the risk of accident. The Island post states a 300% increase in the risk of collision; I’ve read, as I recall, that it’s almost as impairing as is driving under the influence of alcohol.

But I think it’s clear, as the quote shows, that the hazard described in the phrase ‘talking on a cell phone’ is not really posed by the last two words, but the first one. It’s not having a conversation on a phone that increases risk, it’s having a conversation at all while driving. If we are to support legislation making it illegal to use a phone while driving, especially if that legislation includes hands-free phones, then we must ban talking to passengers and probably having a radio in the car as well.

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