2. CELL PHONES AND DRIVING

3. Course Information Course Author: Teresa Patton, Training Administration Course Issued: January 18, 2007 Course Credit: 30 minutes ORACLE Course Code: SAF155000 Data Sources: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, website Drive Now Chat Later, website Insurance Information Institute, November 2006 Consumer Affairs, June 2006 Insweb, website ScienCentralNews, website National Safety Council, website

4. Performance Objectives At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1.Identify the most frequent behavior distracting to drivers. 2.Identify the four kinds of driving distractions. 3.Describe the benefits of cell phones in automobiles. 4.Understand the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. 5.Discuss the option of hand-held and hands-free cellular phones. 6.Discuss safety tips with respect to cell phone use while driving.

5. Introduction Did you know... An average cellular conversation lasts 2.15 minutes

6. Introduction As of October 2006, according to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, over 224 million people in the United States used cell phones compared with approximately 4.3 million in 1990.

7. Introduction (cont.) Telephones in automobiles can be a lifesaver when emergency services need to be immediately contacted after an accident. In non-emergency situations, they can be a life-enhancing tool if operated in a proper and sensible manner.

8. Cell Phones and Driving In addition to cell phones reducing emergency response times and saving lives, they also enable motorists to quickly notify authorities of road hazards, congestion, or problem drivers. When it comes to a roadside mechanical problem, cell phones enhance drivers’ personal security by allowing them to contact help immediately.

9. Cell Phones and Driving Anyone who has been in a car lately knows that it is common to see another driver maneuvering through traffic with one hand pressed against his or her ear. As cell phones have gained in popularity, they have become a growing concern with respect to highway safety.

10. Cell Phones and Driving Driving can be difficult enough even when you concentrate completely on the road. But driving while you dial a phone or balance it to your ear can be distracting and potentially dangerous. Car phones may be convenient for those who own them, but if not used properly, drivers with car phones are a danger to themselves and everyone on the road.

11. Cell Phones and Driving A recent report conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute identifies cell use as the most frequent behavior distracting drivers.

12. Cell Phones and Driving Did you know... At 55 miles per hour, a vehicle travels the length of a football field in 3.7 seconds – less time than it takes to dial a phone number.

13. Cell Phones and Driving Did you know... Drivers on Cell Phones Are twice as likely to miss a traffic signal Their reaction time is slower to the signals they do detect Their risk of causing a crash increases by 400% A study found that the level of impairment is very similar to a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent, which is the minimum level that defines illegal drunken driving in most U.S. states

14. Cell Phones and Driving Hands-Free Does Not Mean Risk- Free If you’re not holding a phone in your hand while driving, surely you’re more able to react to a potential driving emergency. Aren’t you? Studies are revealing that there’s really no difference between using hands-free phones and hand-held phones while driving. When people are talking on a cell phone, their reactions are slowed by about 20%. It turns out that the main problem isn’t in the driver’s hands; it’s in his head.

15. Cell Phones and Driving Experts say that there are basically four kinds of driving distractions: Visual Looking away from the roadway would be an example of this. Biomechanical This includes manipulating a control such as dialing a phone and is often associated with a visual distraction. Auditory Being startled by a ringing phone for instance. Cognitive An example we have all had is the experience of traveling from point A to point B and then realizing that we aren’t sure how we got there or what happened in between. Being “lost in thought” or being in a focused conversation with someone causes us to withdraw from situational awareness.

16. Cell Phones and Driving Let’s look at the cognitive distraction a little more closely: How is talking on a phone different than talking with a passenger in the vehicle? There are two important differences. The first is that a passenger in a vehicle is aware of the driving situation and can even serve as an additional look-out for hazards. If there is a needed pause in conversation, the reasons are apparent. The second is that phone use seems to carry a certain obligation of immediacy. When the phone rings, we feel compelled to answer it – whether it is convenient, safe or appropriate to do so. We focus on the phone call and lose the situational awareness that is necessary for safe driving.

17. Cell Phones and Driving One study indicated that drivers did not even realize that they were not really “seeing” everything in front of them on the road. They thought they were driving perfectly safe and figured that if anyone had a problem driving while using a cell phone, it would be “the other guy.” Further research shows that drivers are rarely aware of their own poor performance while talking on the phone, but have observed others driving haphazardly while on the phone. This would suggest that a consequence of using the phone while driving is that it makes a driver unaware of his or her own impairment. Much like an alcoholic feels sure that he/she drives fine while intoxicated.

18. Cell Phones and Driving Did you know... Drove slightly slower Were 9% slower to hit the brakes Were 19% slower to resume normal speed after braking Displayed 24% more variation in following distance as their attention switched between driving and conversing The number of crashes and near-crashes attributable to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening. Dialing is more dangerous but occurs less often than talking or listening. Drivers who talked either on handheld or hands-free phones

19. Cell Phones and Driving If for some reason you have no alternative but to use a cellular phone while driving, here are some tips: Make safe driving your first priority. Keep calls short and factual. Position your phone where it is easy to see and reach. Familiarize yourself with the phone’s operation while the car is parked. Use the speed dial feature for frequently called numbers. Pull over and dial manually. Stay in the right-hand lane, where driving may be less demanding. Never take notes while driving. Pull off the road if you must read or write. Use voice mail to pick up your calls if it is inconvenient or unsafe to answer the car phone.

20. Cell Phones and Driving Drivers must use common sense and sound judgment when operating a motor vehicle – particularly when using a cell phone. They are responsible for the control of their vehicles at all times. Keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on the driving.

21. Course Review Self-Test

22. Course Review Self-Test Question #1 – True or False Cell phones can serve as a useful tool to drivers. Click for answer True. Cell phones reduce emergency response times. If a roadside mechanical problem arises, drivers are able to contact help immediately.

23. Course Review Self-Test Question #2 – True or False The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute identified fiddling with the car radio as the most frequent behavior distracting drivers. Click for answer False. Cell phone use was identified as the most frequent behavior that distract drivers.

24. Course Review Self-Test Question #3: True or False Hands-Free Does Not Mean Risk-Free Click for answer True. Studies are revealing that there’s really no difference between using hands-free phones and hand- held phones while driving.

25. Course Review Self-Test Question #4: True or False Experts say there are basically three kinds of driving distractions – visual, biomechanical and auditory. Click for answer False. There are four kinds of driving distractions: Visual Biomechanical Auditory Cognitive

26. Course Review Self-Test Question #5: True or False Recent studies indicate that drivers conversing on cell phones did not even realize that they were not “seeing” everything in front of them on the road. Click for answer True

27. Course Review Self-Test Question #6: True or False Drivers who talk on either hand-held or hands-free phones tend to drive slightly faster. False. Drivers tend to drive slightly slower. Click for answer

28. Course Review Self-Test Question #7: True or False Use voice mail to pick up your calls if it is inconvenient or unsafe to answer the car phone. Click for answer True

29. Conclusion Remember You’ll survive a missed phone call; you might not survive a collision! Or sadly you could be the cause of a fatal accident. A careless driver on a cell phone blazed through a red light at 55 mph and struck this car. The owner of this car was going 20 mph attempting to make a left turn towards home. Her car was pushed 40 feet and her neck was broken in 2 places. She is survived by her fiancé, 1 brother, 2 daughters, and a grandson.