A meta-analysis of the effects of cell phones on driver performance.

Accid Anal Prev

Cognitive Ergonomics Research Laboratory, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Published: July 2008

AI Article Synopsis

  • A meta-analysis of 33 studies up to 2007 analyzed the impact of cell phone use on driving, involving around 2000 participants and assessing various factors like reaction time and vehicle control.
  • The study found that talking on a phone, whether handheld or hands-free, led to a significant decrease in reaction times, with an average increase of 0.25 seconds when drivers were engaged in phone-related tasks.
  • It concluded that drivers don’t compensate for decreased performance by adjusting their speed or headway, suggesting that current assessments may underestimate the risks of driving while using a mobile phone, which has implications for future legislation and research.

Article Abstract

The empirical basis for legislation to limit cell phones while driving is addressed. A comprehensive meta-analysis of the effects of cell phones on driving performance was performed. A total of 33 studies collected through 2007 that met inclusion criteria yielded 94 effect size estimates, with a total sample size of approximately 2000 participants. The dependent variables of reaction time, lateral vehicle control, headway and speed and the moderating variables of research setting (i.e., laboratory, simulator, on-road), conversation target (passenger, cell phone) and conversation type (cognitive task, naturalistic) were coded. Reaction time (RT) to events and stimuli while talking produced the largest performance decrements. Handheld and hands-free phones produced similar RT decrements. Overall, a mean increase in RT of .25s was found to all types of phone-related tasks. Observed performance decrements probably underestimate the true behavior of drivers with mobile phones in their own vehicles. In addition, drivers using either phone type do not appreciably compensate by giving greater headway or reducing speed. Tests for moderator effects on RT and speed found no statistically significant effect size differences across laboratory, driving simulation and on-road research settings. The implications of the results for legislation and future research are considered.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2008.01.009DOI Listing

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