Do ‘Hands-Free’ Cells Equal Safer Drivers?

So how do we solve the problem of driving and being able to talk on your cell phone at the same time. Well that seems easy enough, make it “hands-free”. Is it really that simple?

In a new study researchers put 40 students behind the wheel of a car simulator. They were asked to apply the breaks every time the lead car in front of them braked. They were also asked honk the horn or say a word each time they saw a red light flash in the lead car’s back window. On average the students were 174 milliseconds slower than when asked to do the task at 350 milliseconds apart.

I know what you are thinking only 174 milliseconds that is nothing. If your car is going at 65 mph and you are talking on you “hands-free” to your buddies back home. Then this little puppy jumps out and you slam on the brakes well that translates into 16 feet extra you would have traveled have you not been chatting it up with them. Somehow I don’t think Fluffy is going to be running happily home from that one.

In my opinion I think ‘hands-free’ is better than no hands free, still I think we need to put the calls on hold till we are not flying down the freeway at 65 mph.
So how do we solve the problem of driving and being able to talk on your cell phone at the same time. Well that seems easy enough, make it “hands-free”. Is it really that simple?

In a new study researchers put 40 students behind the wheel of a car simulator. They were asked to apply the breaks every time the lead car in front of them braked. They were also asked honk the horn or say a word each time they saw a red light flash in the lead car’s back window. On average the students were 174 milliseconds slower than when asked to do the task at 350 milliseconds apart.

I know what you are thinking only 174 milliseconds that is nothing. If your car is going at 65 mph and you are talking on you “hands-free” to your buddies back home. Then this little puppy jumps out and you slam on the brakes well that translates into 16 feet extra you would have traveled have you not been chatting it up with them. Somehow I don’t think Fluffy is going to be running happily home from that one.

In my opinion I think ‘hands-free’ is better than no hands free, still I think we need to put the calls on hold till we are not flying down the freeway at 65 mph.