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A driver speaking on a cell phone poses a serious danger to him or herself as well as to other road users. Using a hands-free device may reduce the danger posed. Hands-free devices reduce the risks significantly and should be compulsory for drivers that use cell phones while driving.

Many drivers are aware of the danger of speaking on a cell-phone when driving. However, a ringing phone presents an irresistible to the driver to answer. Many are simply are unable to allow a ringing phone ring unanswered.

Some drivers are the totally unaware of the dangers. They are not only are they able to conduct a full conversation on their hand-held phone while driving, but are able to read, write, send text messages and smoke at the same time. These are people that believe that they the ability to multi-task.

The problem with multitasking is that 60% of the attention goes to the call leaving only 40% to the driving. Have you ever tried to conduct a conversation with a multitasker who is busy completing contracts or marking exams?

Driving while talking on a cell phone presents a number of problems. The first is that one hand is occupied holding the phone to the ear. The other hand has the responsibility of steering, changing gears and signalling. As soon as a slightly complex manoeuvre is required, the elbow or knee has to replace the hand.

The physical constraint is not the only danger. Conducting a conversation over a phone draws our attention away from the driving towards the conversation.

Minimum driver reaction times are roughly one second. This reaction time is increased - multiplied - by fatigue, alcohol and drugs even in minimal quantities. At 120 KM per hour a car travels 33.3 meters per second. In three seconds the car travels 100 meters. A cell-phone presents a similar danger and slows reaction times dramatically.

Interestingly, conversations with passengers in the car have been demonstrated to slow reaction times. But an in-car conversation can pause when hazardous conditions occur or maneuvers are required. The passenger is aware of the situation on the road and will tolerate a pause for a maneuver. The person at the other end of the cell-phone conversation has no idea of the driving conditions a pause is not possible. Poor signal quality may demand extra attention from the driver to follow the conversation.

The danger is at its worst when these elements are combined. The driver's attention is elsewhere and only one hand is available to manage to vehicle.

Hands-free devices do not totally solve the problem. The driver may still be distracted, but will at least have two hands available to control the vehicle. Although illegal to use a hand held cell-phone while driving in many countries, thousands continue to talk and drive. It will never be possible to ban cell phones from cars, but a mandatory hands-free kit in every vehicle would go a long way towards reducing this problem.

Which brings us to the next problem. Shouldn't all cell-phones be able to connect to a standard hands-free device in a car?

Learn more about this author, Barry Marcus.
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