Yet another study of automobile telecommunication enthusiasts concludes that using a cell phone while you drive is More dangerous than driving drunk.
Kinda like the clueless wonder I recently spotted at Bloor and Spadina, who was simultaneously talking on the phone, restraining her dog in the front passenger seat, and attempting to turning right. If I had a baseball bat with me at the time, someone would be missing a few tail lights.
(Study link via Gizmodo.)
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Addendum 25 July 2003: Further to Jimcat's note (excellent point, by the way) in the Comments on this post, here's a list of 10 most dangerous foods to eat on the road (via blogdex).
I'd like to add that changing a tape or CD while driving is also a darn good way to get yourself into an accident. I can't believe that some morons actually want to install DVD players in the dashboards as well.
I'll stick to walking, thanks.
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Addendum #2, 26 July 2003: Mookie thoughtfully provides links to definitions and notes on the origins of the word "asshat".
Comments
How can hands-free and hand-held phones pose the same risk? A hands-free conversation is just like talking to someone in the passenger seat right next to you.
Posted by: miked | July 24, 2003 2:35 PM
Yes, but the passenger next to you can see when the car needs to brake suddenly, and will hopefully be quiet to let the driver think, or yell WATCH OUT.
:*)
Unless you have your cell-phone camera on, the speaker on the other end of the cell has no idea of the cell-phone/driver's environs.
Posted by: Greffier | July 24, 2003 5:49 PM
Zed posted about this on his blog a few months back. As I mentioned there, cell phones are dangerous to drivers, but the most dangerous distraction (in terms of number of accidents caused) is still... eating while driving!
Many people are sensible enough not to drink and drive. A lot of people still don't have cell phones, or don't use them in the car. But who hasn't snarfed down a donut or sandwich or something while driving? I will admit to several hamburger-induced near-accidents of my own making.
The best solution, of course, is to get people out of the cars, which requires employers building offices where people can GET to them without cars... grumble grumble. I wonder when the Manhattan job market will start picking up again.
Posted by: Jimcat | July 25, 2003 9:31 AM
if you see the driver who behaves like a complete idiot on the highway, who drives like a robot, you can be sure he/she is on the cellphone.
also, I am sure you think, talk in the same way, regardless whether your hands are tied or not. the question is the brain activity, and not the hands activity. there is no difference between hands-free and hand-held phones, both are dangerous, as well as the conversation with the passenger. this one is a bit less dangerous because you have visual clues about the conversation, which somehow blend in the visual environment, decision making better.
Posted by: N | July 26, 2003 1:53 AM