You’ve heard about night blindness, but how about cell phone blindness when it comes to driving safely on the road.
It’s a proven malady for motorists, according to a recent University of Utah study, which contributes to an estimated 28 percent of all crashes and fatalities on America’s highways.
The study – consisting of 200 participants in a driving simulator – found that cell phones decreased a driver’s ability to perform memory and math tasks, in addition to slowing reaction times and increasing following distance. Only 2.5 percent of motorists experienced no degradation in driving ability while multitasking with a cell phone.
The findings were consistent with other studies that suggested cell phone conversations cause drivers to see less than half the information in a driving environment. Researchers have dubbed the impairment “inattention blindness.”
The University of Utah study was highlighted as part of the AAA Foundation’s Heads Up Driving week, in which the automobile advocacy group urge people to set aside distractions and simply drive.
The group offered these suggestions on how to avoid distracted driving:
- PLAN AHEAD. Read maps and check traffic conditions before you get on the road.
- STOW ELECTRONIC DEVICES. Turn off your phone before you drive so you won’t be tempted to use it while on the road. Pull over to a safe place to talk on the phone or to send and receive text messages or emails.
PREPARE KIDS AND PETS FOR THE TRIP. Get the kids safely buckled in and situated with snacks and entertainment before you start driving. If they need additional attention during the trip, pull off the road safely to care for them. Similarly, prepare and secure pets appropriately in your vehicle before getting underway.- SATISFY THAT CRAVING OFF THE ROAD. Eat meals and snacks before getting behind the wheel, or stop to eat and take a break if driving long-distance.
- STORE LOOSE GEAR AND POSSESSIONS. Stash away loose objects that could roll around and take your attention away from driving.
- GET YOUR VEHICLE ROAD-READY. Adjust seat positions, climate controls, sound systems and other devices before you leave or while your vehicle is stopped. Make sure your headlights are spotless so you can see everything on the road and every other driver can see you better. Keep your windshield clean and remove dangling objects that could block your view.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS – BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR. Your car isn’t a dressing room. Brush your hair, shave, put on make-up, and tie your necktie before you leave or once you reach your destination.- GET YOUR BRAIN IN THE GAME. Focus on the task at hand – driving safely. Scan the road, use mirrors and practice identifying orally what you just saw to enhance your engagement as a driver. Really focusing on maintaining your thoughts about the road, when you’re on the road, can help you improve your overall awareness and behavior as a driver, and help you see the importance of ‘being in the game.’ AAA offers classroom and online defensive driving courses that directly address distracted driving and offer tips for maintaining attention while driving.
- EVALUATE YOUR DRIVING FROM THE ‘OTHER’ SIDE OF THE ROAD. When you’re on the road as a passenger or a pedestrian, take a look around and honestly evaluate whether you engage in poor driving behaviors that worry you when observed in other passengers or pedestrians.
- USE NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE YOU A BETTER DRIVER. Sharpen your ability to respond quickly to risks on the road. The AAA Foundation recommends all drivers improve their reaction times and managing attention on the road by using DriveSharp, a computer program proven to improve reaction time and stopping distances. With quicker responses, you can avoid the distracted driver who might end up in your lane.
This article caught my eye when I saw the words “recent University of Utah study” because, for an assignment I have in my English 1010 class at UVU, we are looking at that exact study! The article I’m working on, though not the same article as the one referenced to here, is based on the same studies and co-authored by the same person, David L. Strayer.
Cell phone usage–not limited to, but including texting–really does impair a driver. I thought it was interesting that, while driving and holding a person-to-person conversation (such as talking to someone sitting next to you) simultaneously shares attention between the two tasks, texting/talking on a cell phone demands switching attention between the two activities which places more demands on visual attention. (Drews, Frank A., Hina Yazdani, Celeste N. Godfrey, Joel M. Cooper, and David L. Strayer. “Text Messaging during Simulated Driving.”)
It’s everybody’s responsibility and even moral obligation to keep everyone else safe and alive on the road by not allowing distractions to divert their attention from driving. Remember, “Distracted driving kills!” and “important before urgent.” It’s important to be safe drivers (even though sometimes texting someone could be urgent). I hope we can all be responsible with our driving and put those cell phones away.
Great post! Thanks!