Talking on cell phones without hands-free device slows traffic

Dubai: Motorists speaking on mobile phones without hands-free devices slow down traffic, a senior police official said.

Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, was reacting to a study published by Associated Press (AP), which said drivers talking on cell phones are probably making Americans' commuting time even longer.

Motorists talking on mobiles, even with hands-free devices, crawl about 3.2kph slower on clogged roads than people not on the phone, and they just do not keep up with the flow of traffic, said study author David Strayer, a psychology professor at University of Utah.

Distractions

Brigadier Al Zafein said: "I agree with the study 100 per cent if it means talking on mobile phones without hands-free delays traffic. However, I do not agree if it says even with hands-free, talking on mobile phones delays traffic."

He said the example he would like to give is that taking on mobile phones with hands-free devices is similar to talking to someone in the car.

"Talking on mobile phones with hands-free devices does not affect much the motorist, unless the motorist himself is not paying attention on the road while talking on the mobile phone," Brigadier Al Zafein said.

Strayer said: "If you commute by car an hour a day, it could all add around 20 hours a year to your commute. The distracted driver tends to drive slower and have delayed reactions," said Strayer, whose study will be presented later this month to the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences.

"People kind of get stuck behind that person and it makes everyone pay the price of that distracted driver," he said.

Strayer's study, based on three dozen students driving in simulators, found that drivers on cell phones are far more likely to stick behind a slow car in front of them and change lanes about 20 per cent less often than drivers not on the phone.

Overall, cell phone drivers took about three per cent longer to drive the same traffic-clogged route - and about 2 per cent longer to drive a medium congested route - than people who were not on the phone.

About one in 10 drivers is on the phone so it really adds up, said Strayer, whose earlier studies have found slower reaction time from drivers on the phones and compared the reaction time of people legally drunk.

I am amazed that drivers freely and openly use their mobiles while driving and this is common sight on highways and junctions. The police should do its duty and hand out severe punishment to such drivers.
Jasser Salem
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 09:15

I completely agree. Talking over the cell phone while driving not only slows down the traffic but also causes accidents.
Shafqat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 08:59