02/ 11/ 2008
The next time you're stuck in traffic, consider this: Putting down your cell phone could help you--and your fellow road warriors--arrive at your destination sooner.
New research by the University of Utah found that motorists who talk on cell phones drive more slowly, pass cars less frequently and take longer to complete their trips, which all translate into more congestion on the roads.
Researchers put participants behind the steering wheel of a driving simulator to compare the driver's reactions while using a cell phone versus not using it.
While talking on cell phones, the drivers were up to 21 percent less likely to change lanes and spent up to 31 percent more time following within 200 feet of a slower vehicle. They also drove an average of 2 mph slower than non-talkers.
For busy road warriors, not using your cell phone in the car is unrealistic. Invest in a headset so at least your hands can be free or pull over to make calls that require more words than “I'm on my way.”
