Texting While Driving Can Be More Dangerous Than You Thought
Posted on July 14, 2009 by admin Under Technology · Leave a Comment
A recent test conducted by the Car & Driver magazine reveals that driving and texting is far more dangerous than you might have anticipated. The experiments showed some staggering results about drivers’ reaction times on the road when writing a message on their mobile phones.
The experiment was set on a straight road strip and conducted using a Honda Pilot car. The tested pilots were two of the magazine’s staff – the younger and presumably more inexperienced driver Jordan Brown, 22, an intern and the editor-in-chief, Eddie Alterman, aged 37. When considering the study’s results you should have in mind that unlike the usual vehicle simulator ones, this was conducted in conditions closest to the real ones on the road. Further more, the people behind the wheel represented quite well the average driver.
The reaction times while reading and writing texts and under intoxication above the permitted levels were measured. The drivers were asked to punch the break at a light signal coming from the dashboard while performing these actions or after drinking alcohol. The tests showed that when reading, the reaction distance of the younger driver was 21 feet longer and 188 feet longer for the older one at a speed of 35 mph. The former managed to stop the car after an extra 16 feet, while the result of the latter was 90 extra feet at the same speed when writing. At 70 mph Brown hit the break after 30 more feet and Alterman after 129 more feet when checking out a message and 31 and 319 extra feet respectively when typing. Surprisingly, under intoxication both managed to stop after a 7 extra feet at 35 mph. The scores at 70 mph were 15 additional feet reaction distance for the 22-year-old and 17 additional feet for the driver aged 37.
These results confirm that drivers should try to avoid texting and reading altogether. Just imagine the consequences on a busy high way with a lot of turns. Moreover, it is recommended that mobile phone usage should be generally prohibited on the road.
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