Distracted Drivers

There is no question that using cell phones while driving a vehicle causes driver distraction. First, the matter of driving one-handed while holding a phone up to the ear is clearly incapacitating to some degree. Second, the interface to operate the device should be considered; drivers are distracted while dialing and answering. Finally there is the consideration of distraction due to animated or even angry discourse with the party on the other end of the connection.

We posted about this a while ago in Top 10 Reasons Why People Use a Wireless While Driving.

Now, there is legislation pending in Sacramento that would ban drivers from using hand-held devices. However, some argue that there needs to be more studies to analyze effects of the use of hands-free devices as well.

Mixed signals in hands-free phone debate – sacbee.com

Americans spent 1.7 trillion minutes on their cell phones last year. Although no one knows how many minutes were spent talking while driving, one state senator wants to make sure Californians keep both hands on the steering wheel.

“We know you’re distracted. We know the risk has risen dramatically. Now the question is one of control,” Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, told fellow lawmakers on the Senate floor in making his fifth attempt to ban the use of hand-held phones while driving.

His proposal, Senate Bill 1613, cleared the Senate last month and is expected to be vetted by the Assembly Transportation Committee in the coming weeks. If passed, drivers would face initial fines of $20, going up to $50 for subsequent offenses beginning in July 2008.
As California considers joining a growing number of states and cities imposing cell phone restrictions, there are conflicting reports on whether hands-free is safer than hand-held. New York, which was the first state to implement a ban back in 2001, has yet to complete a review of the law’s impact.

While many studies have shown cell phone use is a common form of driver distraction, experts say there has been relatively little direct research comparing hands-free with hand-held devices.

[Full story]

I say enact the ban on hand-helds now and continue with the studies. At least the obvious one-handed drivers will be eliminated from whatever the equation turns out to be.