Media for Most people can't talk on a cellphone and drive safely, study finds [Telecom]

Most people can't talk on a cellphone and drive safely, study finds [Telecom]

Most people can't talk on a cellphone and drive safely, study finds March 30, 2010 | 10:00 am

Shari Roan Los Angeles Times

Only a talented few can simultaneously talk on a cellphone and drive safely, according to a study from researchers at the University of Utah. The danger of a study like this is, of course, that everyone will think they are in the 2.5% of all people whom the study found to be "supertaskers." The pertinent fact is that 97.5% of us can't drive safely while talking on the phone -- even a hands-free phone.

The researchers assessed the performance of 200 people using simulated freeway driving while conducting a conversation on a hands-free phone that involved memorizing words and solving some math problems. Performance was measured in braking, reaction time, following distance, memory and math execution.

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