Driving Under Influence of Cells

Bailey Goodman and four recent Fairport High grads drove to the Finger Lakes to enjoy time together before summer took them in new directions... On the way, Bailey's cell jingled arrival of a friend's text message. What's up? A curious teen would look to see... Thirty-eight seconds later, someone called 911 to report the fiery collision with a tractor trailer, which snuffed out lives of Bailey and her four friends. Phone records show the phone in use at the time of the collision. Ever wonder whether the human brain can focus on texting and driving all at once?

Joanna Young quizzed me, too, in comments following Kickstart Cellphone Smarts...

I wonder if it's maybe also the need for speed and the fear of missing something if we delay the transaction for another time when it's more convenient.

"Just listening to a cell phone while driving is a significant distraction," according to Carnegie Mellon University scientists, "and it causes drivers to commit some of the same types of driving errors that can occur under the influence of alcohol."

The use of cell phones, including dialing and texting, has long been a safety concern for drivers. But the Carnegie Mellon study, for the first time, used brain imaging to document that listening alone reduces by 37 percent the amount of brain activity associated with driving. This can cause drivers to weave out of their lane, based on the performance of subjects using a driving simulator.

Compounded by curiosity to "know" now, and not later, a typical teen's attention quickly moves from the road to the cell's new text message.

"Drivers need to keep not only their hands on the wheel; they also have to keep their brains on the road," said neuroscientist Marcel Just, Director, Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging.

Problem is the brain's ability to multitask. Some research shows that drivers engage in a distracting activity on an average one every six minutes, which frequently results in driving errors and road accidents. In fact, distraction causes one in five crashes in Australia.

"They were the nicest girls," said Elaine Deignan, the cheerleading coach. "They were the most respectful, pleasant and fun to be around. Just really good people."

Accidents that involve cells can be avoided. Ready to delay finding out who's so anxious to reach you and know what they want? Let's shut off our cells to avoid D.U.I.

This blog is my second contribution to Brad Shorr's challenge to write on cell phone abuse.