A Case of Amnesia?

03.30.2010
in Driver Distraction

So just how many crashes are caused by drivers using a cell phone? This turns out to be a more difficult question to answer than you might think. There are some cases where it is obvious. I’ve seen autopsy photos where the deceased driver was still gripping their cell phone. There are other ...

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Are all conversations are harmful?

03.24.2010
in Driver Distraction

Hopefully by now you realize that driving and talking on a cell phone is a hazardous.  But, what about talking to a passenger in the vehicle?  In both cases the driver is engaged in a conversation.  Do conversations with the passenger impair the driver as much as conversations on a cell phone? ...

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Can you hear the train?

03.14.2010
in Driver Distraction

This is a true story that illustrates just how “tuned out” someone can become when they are talking on a cell phone. I’ve changed the names of those involved. John was excited to take a group of co-workers on a weekend fishing trip.  He picked up his friends on Friday after work and they d...

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Are you a Supertasker?

03.11.2010
in Driver Distraction

My colleague Jason Watson and I have been searching for people who have extraordinary multi-tasking ability. In a series of studies, we rigorously tested over 500 drivers between the ages of 18 and 45 in our driving simulator facility to see if anyone could talk on a hands-free cell phone without i...

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On Nanny State Legislation

03.09.2010
in Driver Distraction

Texting while driving is dangerous.  The odds of crashing are 8 times higher than driving without distraction.  That’s worse than the crash risk for drivers intoxicated by alcohol at the legal limit!  Despite the blatantly obvious impairments from text messaging, less than half of states have l...

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Traffic Jam

03.04.2010
in Driver Distraction

Damn this traffic jam, how I hate to be late, it hurts my motor to go so slow. Damn this traffic jam, time I get home my supper'll be cold, damn this traffic jam. Well I left my job about 5 o'clock, it took fifteen minutes go three blocks, Just in time to stand in line with a freeway looking like ...

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