In this second article on road safety and distractions, we will specifically address the main risk factor for the occurrence of distracted driving crashes: cell phone use. We will comment on the effects of cell phones on driving behavior, as well as the known consequences of distracted cell phone use while driving.
Impact of cell phone distraction
International studies have shown an increase in distracted driving caused by the use of cell phones. Surveys show that a large proportion of drivers admit to using their devices for various activities while driving.
According to the study Puede Esperar 2023, elaborated by AT&T and ANASEVI, 6 out of 10 drivers admit to using cell phones while driving. Of the drivers surveyed who stated that they usually travel in a private vehicle and are the driver of the vehicle, 53 % use it sometimes, 6 % frequently, 3 % almost always and 1 % always.
Neurophysiological Effects of Distraction
Delays in Reaction Times
Cell phone use while driving has been shown to impair the driver’s ability to react, both in braking and in observing traffic signs.
Information processing and unexpected risks
When the brain is overloaded due to multitasking, such as driving and talking on a cell phone, the ability to process information is reduced, increasing the risk of not responding in time to unexpected hazards.
- Cell phone use can affect driving performance with respect to a number of tasks, resulting in:
- Increased reaction time to detect and respond to unexpected events.
- Reduced ability to maintain correct lane position.
- Slower braking reactions with more intense braking and shorter stopping distances.
- Reduced ability to maintain proper speed.
- Increased reaction time to traffic signals or failure to notice them; reduced safety distance.
- Increased intellectual work.
- In general, cell phone use generates visual, physical, cognitive and, to a lesser extent, hearing distractions.
- The danger of the distraction having an effect on driving depends on different factors, such as: the complexity of the distracting task, its duration, its frequency, the road situation.
- Using a cell phone while driving increases the absolute probability of a crash in the case of all drivers, regardless of gender, age, driving experience or the performance of risky behaviors. To the above, we can add the many ways in which cell phones are used today: hands-free or hands-free calls, texting, navigation, social networks and other uses.
- The use of hands-free while driving reduces visual monitoring of the vehicle’s instruments and the traffic situation in general, which negatively affects the driver’s ability to control his or her vehicle. Because of this negative effect on driving performance, it is not safer to use hands-free.
- Regarding the effects of texting on driving, available studies (mostly experimental) indicate that texting requires more cognitive resources, which causes physical distraction when holding the cell phone, and causes visual distraction when composing or reading messages.
- Studies on the effects of texting on driving suggest that this behavior could lead to an increased risk of road crashes, since texting involves long periods of visual distraction and cognitive distraction.
- There is conclusive data indicating that cell phone use while driving causes cognitive and physical distraction, which could also have detrimental effects for all those involved in road use.
Cell phone use while driving represents a serious road safety hazard. It is imperative to be aware of the risks and take measures to minimize this distraction at the wheel. Our safety and that of others depends on it.
We invite our readers to reflect on their own driving habits and commit to safer driving practices. Road safety is all of us.
