Does a cell phone conversation affect reaction time?
On One Hand: Cell Phone Conversations Delay Driver ReactionAccording to a report written by researchers at The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, talking on a cell phone slows a driver’s reaction time. The majority of cell phone-related crashes involve talking or listening on the cell phone, not dialing or answering the phone.On the Other: Hands-Free Devices Affect Reaction TimesAccording to a study published by University of Utah psychologists, hands-free cell phones are just as distracting to drivers as handheld cell phones. According to a 2008 report published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, all cell phone conversations affect driving performance because of the cognitive distraction that results from the conversation itself.Bottom LineEngaging in a cell phone conversation, whether using a handheld phone or a hands-free phone, slows down a driver’s reaction time and distracts him from focusing on the road conditions and hazards.Source:The Univ
