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There is ongoing debate among researchers as to the degree of danger associated with texting, handheld phone or hands-free phone use while driving. Now a new study sheds light on which types of distraction has the greatest risk of a crash, and the results may surprise you.
The study commissioned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) found visual and manual distractions (such as looking away and adjusting a stereo) are associated with an increased crash risk, but not cognitive distraction, commonly associated with a phone conversation.
Texting, browsing, and dialing resulted in the longest time a driver wasn't watching the road. Texting increased the risk of a crash by two times with a driver's eyes shown to be off the road for an average of 23.3 seconds. Reaching for a phone, looking up a number, and dialing was three times as risky as driving alone.
The study didn't find any increased crash risk associated with talking on a cell phone, but the act of making the call was 1.73 times more risky because manual and visual interactions are involved. Hands-free devices, either in-vehicle or portable, still involved visual and manual tasks in at least half the time because some drivers still dial or look at the phone.
Learn more about staying safe behind the wheel in our guide to distracted driving.
VTTI researchers recorded 204 drivers who reported talking on a cell phone while driving at least once a day. Drivers also provided their cell phone records. The study found that drivers talked on a cell phone 10.6 percent of the time while driving with 28 percent of all calls and 10 percent of all text messages occurring in the car.
A related study just released by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute compared the distraction of voice-to-text technology (Siri and Vlingo) to manual texting. The study found that it took drivers twice as long to react and take action in response to sudden roadway hazards in both texting methods. However, drivers said they felt safer using the voice applications, even though both methods had the same dangerous results.
Both studies were released to coincide with Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and they confirm the potential hazards of using a cell phone in a vehicle, whether it's for talking or texting. More studies are forthcoming to quantify the dangers and inform the public on the risks affecting themselves and others on the road. These studies, along with the two discussed above, show the compromise between the desire to stay connected and the need to stay safe behind the wheel.
Learn about the latest NHTSA guidelines for reducing in-car distractions. For more on distracted driving, see our special section.
