Talking on a cell phone while driving or chatting with a passenger. Is one more dangerous than the other?
Researchers put 24 pairs of friends to the test, having them complete a variety of performance tasks at a driving simulator lab. 4 different scenarios were used, A driver alone, not talking to anyone. A driver and passenger chatting. A driver catching up with a friend using a hands-free cell phone. And a driver speaking hands-free to a friend on a simulated “videophone” where the friend could see the driver and roadway.
In each experiment, the driver was instructed to follow posted speed limits, which changed during the 12-mile trip. Driving alone was the safest scenario. Speaking with someone on a cell phone while driving was the most dangerous. Talking to a person who could not see what was going on inside or outside the car more than tripled the likelihood of an accident.
The most surprising results, according to the researchers, drivers were less likely to be in a collision when their remote partner was on a videophone and could see what was going on. The videophone results were similar to having a passenger in the car.
One of the study authors said seeing the driver and watching what's going on in traffic during the conversation allows the partner to stop speaking when something unexpected happens on the road.
I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the information you need to protect your health.
Source http://ift.tt/1vZ11ZI
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