# Is cell phone use in cars really dangerous? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [February 10, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855 "2006-02-10T14:03:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![priscamor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@priscamor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priscamor)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/1 "2006-02-10T14:03:06Z")
If it doesn’t cause cancer, does it fry the user? “Suzzanna Decantworthy published an article in her Wymsey Weekend column that described how to cook an egg with two cell phones. From the article: “Many students, and other young people, have little in the way of cooking skills but can usually get their hands on a couple of mobile phones. So, this week, we show you how to use two mobile phones to cook an egg which will make a change from phoning out for a pizza.”” [Link here](http://www.wymsey.co.uk/wymchron/cooking.htm) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/2 "2006-02-10T14:40:51Z")
Damn good reason to use a Headset if the article is true. Jim ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/3 "2006-02-10T14:51:03Z")
Cecil, thank you tons for lending some authority to something I’d been saying for years…that the cell phone driving laws that allow hands-free phones are foolish. I’ve always maintained that it’s the talking, not the hand-holding, that makes the problem, and now I have a cite. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/4 "2006-02-10T15:01:04Z")
Look at the name of the web site “Wymsey Weekend”. It’s a whooosh! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/5 "2006-02-10T15:04:21Z")
> [@priscamor](#): > > If it doesn’t cause cancer, does it fry the user? > > “Suzzanna Decantworthy published an article in her Wymsey Weekend column that described how to cook an egg with two cell phones. From the article: “Many students, and other young people, have little in the way of cooking skills but can usually get their hands on a couple of mobile phones. So, this week, we show you how to use two mobile phones to cook an egg which will make a change from phoning out for a pizza.”” > > [Link here](http://www.wymsey.co.uk/wymchron/cooking.htm) Untrue. [http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/3965/](http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/3965/) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/6 "2006-02-10T15:08:37Z")
And the link to Cecil’s current column is [Is cell phone use in cars really dangerous?]]([http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060210.html](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060210.html)) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/7 "2006-02-10T15:09:27Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Untrue. [http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/3965/](http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/3965/) To the rescue. Thank you **samclem** , I couldn’t find it on Snopes. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/8 "2006-02-10T15:24:35Z")
There are those that say that they’re equally good drivers with the cellphone as without. I posit that they’re clumbsy, inattentive drivers without the cellphone anyway, so they’re probably right. Everyone that rides with me seems to call me a bad driver, but I always insist I’m one of the best drivers on the road, because I dedicate my entire self to the task at hand when needed. In metro traffic, that’s often _always_. It drives my wife crazy when she’s with me because she thinks I’m ignoring her when I’m unable to do more than grunt at what she’s saying. In those occassions where I’ve absolutely had to use a cellphone (yeah, yeah, what “need”?) while driving, I know for a fact that I’m a worse driver for it, but at least I can recognize it and admit it. People that use their phones in this situation are either (1) nuts or (2) bad drivers _all_ the time anyway. I think that handsfree devices are marginally better. At least I can have both hands fully controlling my vehicle, and it takes very little effort away from the driving to be able to hear and comprehend the other party. The but formulate intelligent responses we’re back to the same situation as with my wife. Either I can take attention away from traffic to formulate intelligent responses, or I can can of speak very vaguely and brokenly. At times you don’t need the same attention to the traffic because it’s so light (I’m talking freeways here) that you can do everything on mental cruise control. In such a case there’s probably very little problem using a cellphone or handsfree set because there’s no risk due to decreased concentration. There’s always the possibility that a kid can run into the freeway, but that’s just natural selection at work. So the final analysis: you’ve got to choose your time. Rush hour while doing 55 in the left lane and blocking the flow of traffic because you can’t concentrate enough both to speak on the cellphone and negotiate the slower traffic to the right _is not the fsck’ing_ right time, you jackass. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/9 "2006-02-10T15:32:26Z")
I’ve heard before that hands-free cell phones are not significantly safer than a handheld one, suggesting that it’s the distraction from the conversation that makes a difference. So am I a more dangerous driver when my wife is in the car with me? I suspect so. Therefore I propose a law… ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/10 "2006-02-10T15:54:40Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > I’ve heard before that hands-free cell phones are not significantly safer than a handheld one, suggesting that it’s the distraction from the conversation that makes a difference. So am I a more dangerous driver when my wife is in the car with me? I suspect so. Therefore I propose a law… I know kids distract far more than cell phones. I am almost never on the Cell anywhere, but my kids distract me too much. The number one distraction had to be when I was in my 20’s and driving near a beach. You guessed it Girls in Bikinis. Jim ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/11 "2006-02-10T15:57:44Z")
I would whole heartedly agree w/ Balthisar, both on the attention needed to drive well, especially when other traffic is present, and on the use of cell phones. Many people attempt to compare using a cell phone w/ listening to the radio, or carrying on a conversation w/ a passenger. While the latter two can be distracting I believe that talking on the phone is far more distracting. Listening to the radio is a, mostly, passive activity which your brain can easily tune out when attention is required elswhere. Talking w/ a passenger is a bit trickier, but at least you are aware that the passenger should be aware of the complexity of a given situation. Like Balthisar, I often have passengers accuse me of not listening, or have to ask them to repeat what they just said. When talking on the phone we are, subconciously, aware that the other person is connected only by our voice. We don’t nod or gesture and expect the other person to be aware of it and we are well aware that responses are required. Whether you’re holding the phone, or using a hands free system makes little difference, talking on the phone is much more distracting, and therefore dangerous, than other activities we may indulge in when driving. I predict that abuses will continue until cell phone use is banned completely when driving. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/12 "2006-02-10T16:09:52Z")
I’ve got a question about this article–specifically, about this passage: > [@The Perfect Master](#): > > In another study, researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute installed cameras, sensors, and data recording equipment in 100 cars, then watched what happened over the ensuing 12 to 13 months. They recorded 69 crashes, 761 near crashes, and 8,295 lesser close calls. Of driver distractions that may have contributed to these incidents, use of cell phones was by far the most common, occurring in close to 700 cases. The distant runner-up was passenger-related activities, presumably including conversation, with fewer than 400 instances. Of the cell-phone-related distractions, 87 involved dialing a handheld phone and 466 talking or listening. (emphasis added) In one year, 69% of their subjects crashed their car? Who were the drivers, drunken chimpanzees? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/13 "2006-02-10T16:20:40Z")
I suspect that 100 cars in a fleet were equipped, but they had more than 100 drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/14 "2006-02-10T16:41:09Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > I suspect that 100 cars in a fleet were equipped, but they had more than 100 drivers. Fair point, but still, isn’t that number really, really high? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/15 "2006-02-10T16:46:14Z")
Maybe that \*is \* the point. Anecdotally, it’s pretty apparent that cell phones make for dangerous drivers. I remember once being on the highway and having my wife call the Highway Patrol because the car in front of me kept veering out of its lane. I thought the driver was drunk, but he turned out to be talking, somewhat animatedly, on his cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/16 "2006-02-10T16:51:42Z")
While I won’t argue that the use of a cell-phone uses up mental resources that could be used for driving, I will argue that one reason why people have an issue is that they are afraid (or unwilling) to tell the other line “to hang on for a minute.” I also suggest that too many people don’t know themselves well enough to understand _how many_ distractions they can deal with at one time. I have found that I can get away with one minor distraction while driving under good conditions. I can eat, talk, listen to radio, or think about a problem all with minimal driving skill loss, under good conditions. I only get to do _one_ of these tasks at a time. (Seriously, I turn off the radio when I’m eating.) But this is all under good conditions. (Steady trafic, no turns coming up, fair weather, etc.) If I add any more complications, I have to remove the distraction, or risk losing concentration power. Granted, I’ve also had emergency vehicle operators training, so I am also willing to suggest I am not a “typical” driver. ---
**Author:** ![SpriteRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@SpriteRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpriteRacer)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/17 "2006-02-10T17:43:33Z")
Two points about cell phone use while driving that I think help explain the increase of crashes: 1. With only two hands available to operate automobile controls AND the cell phone, it seems the first casualty is USE OF TURN SIGNALS. By my observation, cars that appear to be intending to turn (based on lane choice/position , speed changes, etc.) but that are not signalling are likely to be using the phone. Unsignalled lane changes and turns, especially where the turn is optional (not in a marked or dedicated turn lane) are a surprise to other drivers. This must be a risk factor in accidents. 2. Drivers holding cell phones to their heads DO NOT LOOK AROUND ! It is very difficult to hold your hand to your ear and look left and right. As a result, these drivers have “tunnel vision”. They don’t see the pedestrian coming along the sidewalk, the car trying to pull out of a driveway, etc - even when they are stopped at a traffic light or a Stop sign. These drivers have limited peripheral vision and less than a full understanding of the whole traffic situation. This must also be a risk factor in accidents. Other cited distractions such as eating and radio changing are intermittent or periodic and the driver can choose to suspend these when traffic conditions warrant. Yes, I have eaten while driving and I do change radio stations. However I don’t do these while turning or at intersections/interchanges. Only the cell phone use is continuous without regard to traffic situation. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/18 "2006-02-10T17:44:07Z")
Just for interest points, [here](http://sailorjim.net/wordpress/?p=215) is a story written by a friend of mine which should be 98% true (he occasionally dresses up things, but sticks mostly to the facts) in which a driver has an accident on a cell phone…and where the cell phone ends up after said accident. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![NYC\_EVOC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a88e4f/32.png) [@NYC\_EVOC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYC_EVOC)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/19 "2006-02-10T17:52:34Z")
Here in NYC emergency vehicle operations course (NYC EVOC) instructors did a controlled study, conducted in the same manner as the drinking & driving impairment tests. The universal consensus among the NYPD, FDNY and FDNY EMS instructors was that driving while using a cellphone was every bit as dangerous (with or without a headset) as driving drunk. This is particularly true with younger drivers, who tend to be less focused on the road to begin with. MYTHBUSTERS (on the discovery channel) did a similar test for a show with the same conclusions. yes, dialling is part of it, but by and large the distraction factor of holding a conversation on the phone is sufficient to impair driving ability to a significant degree. J. Popper, NYPD Driving Instructor (ret.) ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/20 "2006-02-10T18:14:12Z")
They make bluetooth headsets for motorcycle helmets as well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855.md?page=2)