Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us do on a regular basis - you're operating a potentially dangerous machine in an unpredictable, public environment - so it requires full concentration at all times. Drivers who use a mobile phone at the wheel are significantly increasing their risk of causing a devastating crash.
Drivers using phones have slowed reaction times and difficulty controlling speed and lane position. [1] Those who talk on phone - whether it's hand-held or hands-free - are four times more likely to be in a crash that causes injury. [2] This is because it's the distraction of the call, not the holding of the phone, which is the main risk factor.
The effect of talking on a phone on driving has been shown to be worse than drinking certain levels of alcohol. Driver reaction times have been found to be 30% slower while using a hands-free phone than driving with a blood alcohol level of 80mg alcohol per 100ml blood and nearly 50% slower than driving under normal conditions.[3]
Reading and writing text messages while driving is even more impairing as it takes your mind, hand and eyes off the road. Texting drivers have 35% slower reaction times and poor lane control. [4] One study found that texting young drivers have their eyes off the road for four times as much time.[5] Using the internet through a phone or any other multi-media device while driving is equally risky.
Many people have questioned whether it is rational to ban hand-held phones when it is impossible to ban conversations with passengers. However, research comparing the safety of drivers on phones and drivers with chatty passengers found the drivers on phones had lower reaction times and speed control. The research also found that the drivers with chatty passengers performed nearly as safely in the research as drivers studied who had silent passengers [6]. However, it is also sensible for drivers to ask passengers to be quiet and to not engage in detailed or stressful conversations or, worse, arguments on the road.
[1] Using a hands-free mobile whilst driving can be more dangerous than drink driving, Transport Research Laboratory, 2009
[2] Role of mobile phones in motor vehicle crashes resulting in hospital attendance: a case-crossover study, University of Western Australia, 2005
[3] Using a hands-free mobile whilst driving can be more dangerous than drink driving, Transport Research Laboratory, 2009
[4] The effect of text messaging on driver behaviour: a simulator study, Transport Research Laboratory, 2008
[5] The effects of text messaging on young novice driver performance, Monash Accident Research Centre, 2006
[6] New Zealand distractive effects of cell phone use: report 349, New Zealand Transport Agency, 2008
