Effects of Cell Phones on Drivers

A number of surveys conducted by government agencies and non-profit organizations have been pointing to increasing road accidents and fatalities directly attributable to the use of cell phones while driving. Statistics and studies draw a grim picture about the dangerous effects of cell phones on drivers, especially teenage and elderly drivers. Driving is severely impaired or compromised while any activity or task is performed with a cell phone.

Compromise of Primary Task

The primary task of driving with total concentration with both hands is compromised with any use of the cell phone: talking, texting, reading messages or even while using a cell phone as a GPS device.

Hazardous Distraction

It is easy for an individual to get caught up in the context of a conversation on a cell phone. Talking animatedly or chattering incessantly on cell phones while driving can lead to critical loss of focus.

Alertness

Cell phone use while driving can cause drivers to be less alert to their ambient surroundings. Drivers are prone to run over squirrels and even deer crossing the road, drive over portholes and even resort to sudden jamming of the brakes due to perceived alarms and threats.

Erratic Driving Patterns

Surveys have indicated that drivers who use cell phones tend to drive erratically without giving proper signals, obeying street signs and even cutting lanes abruptly. They also tend to be slower in applying brakes and then take longer to regain speed, which can prove to be dangerous to other drivers.

Aggressive Behavior

Motorists involved in emotional or stressful cell phone conversations tend to exhibit inadvertent aggressive behavior while driving.