MOBILE PHONE AND DRIVING 1. How mobile phones distract the driver Driving is complex and challenging. A simple way to make driving safer is to reduce the number of non-driving and distracting activities you undertake while driving. Using a mobile phone while driving distracts you in many ways. - Physical distraction is caused by handling the phone while driving. For example, removing your hand from the steering wheel to dial a phone number, to answer or end a call. - Visual distraction is caused by the amount of time you have your eyes off the road. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds when driving at 50 km/h, means you travel for 27 metres effectively blind. - Cognitive distraction refers to lapses in attention and judgement. This happens when you have to perform two mental tasks at the same time. Having a conversation competes with the demands of driving - your attention is often changing from driving to the conversation. This results in unsafe driving and can increase the risk of a crash. 2. Why its dangerous to use a mobile phone while driving Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving can lead to danger. - Riskier decision making Deciding when it is safe to turn in traffic is a complex task. Using a mobile phone while driving affects judgement and concentration and you may fail to choose a safe gap. When making a decision to turn across oncoming traffic, you also tend not to consider the environmental conditions such as when it’s raining or the roads are slippery. If you don’t make safe turns you could crash. - Slower reactions You generally react slower when using a mobile phone, particularly when you’re deep in conversation. You may take longer to respond to traffic signals or completely miss them. - Slower and less controlled braking During a mobile phone call your brake reaction time is slower, and you do it with more force and less control which results in shorter stopping distances available between yourself and the car in front. - Wandering out of your lane You’re more likely to wander out of your lane when you’re using a mobile phone, even on a straight road with little traffic. Not being alert to your surroundings When using a mobile phone, you tend to spend less time checking your mirrors and what’s going on around you. This affects your ability to monitor and negotiate traffic safely. (https://vicroads.vic.gov.au/)
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:31:00 +0000