How much of a distraction is caused by use of a cell phone when driving?

Much media attention has been given to stories of cell phones and their distraction of the operators of motor vehicles. A recent study has shown that:

• Cellular phone use of any type leads to significant increases in non-response to traffic situations and an increase in response time.
• The more intense and complex the conversation, the greater the likelihood that the operator will overlook traffic conditions, and show an increase in response time. The distracting effect is similar to that of a driver turning on and tuning a radio. And while any calling tends to retard driver response to road conditions, placing calls or more casual conversations are less of a distracter.
• For drivers over age 50, the distracting effect of cell phone use is two- to three-times as great as that of younger drivers for all aspects of cell phone use.
• Familiarity and experience with using the cell phone appears to bear no relation to the distracting effects of using the phone on driving safety.

The use of head sets has not impacted the safety issues. A study published by the National Safety Council has shown that driver distraction is the same with either a hand-held or hands-free phone. A University of Utah study showed that using either device slowed driver reactions time to road conditions anywhere from 10 to 30 percent.

An employer may wish to set a policy that employees will not initiate calls while driving, and that if they receive a call while driving that they must pull over as quickly as possible to continue the conversation, or that they inform the caller that they will call them right back.

In addition, with all the Bluetooth connectivity in vehicles, employees should be instructed not to attempt to read or listen to text messages while driving.