If the resources needed for driving are being used on a phone conversation, the driver may not be able to fully focus, making them more likely to miss important parts of the driving scene. A driver can’t share their attention between tasks effectively because both tasks are drawing on the same limited pool of resources. Other research more specifically suggests that workload increases to these unmanageable levels because the two tasks need the same attentional resources, leading to competition between the tasks. If the demands of driving suddenly increase –- for example when the vehicle ahead brakes sharply –- your workload may become too much to manage and your performance in one or both tasks can break down. When driving, your workload may be relatively manageable, yet adding a phone conversation increases that workload. This makes sense, as we have a limited supply of attentional resources, which include all the resources needed to perceive things in our vision, understand what we hear, and plan for upcoming actions. Some researchers suggest that these effects are down to increased “cognitive workload”, the amount of information your brain can process at any one time. Research has also shown that the type of conversation a driver has, along with the difficulty of the driving situation, can further affect performance. People are largely unaware that their minds wander like this, or that it can affect their driving.ĭistracted drivers take longer to react to hazards, miss other hazards altogether, and make poor decisions about their speed and distance from other road users. It seems that phone conversations take the driver’s focus away from their primary task of driving, even after they’ve hung up. This increased risk lasts for around five minutes after the call has ended, suggesting that interacting with the technology isn’t the only issue. Why are hands-free phones dangerous while driving?ĭecades of research has demonstrated drivers on the phone are four times more likely to be involved in an accident than undistracted drivers, regardless of whether they’re using a hand-held or hands-free system. But the fact that the advert was made in the first place, that in-car, hands-free technology is readily available – and that the law doesn’t prevent its use – show how far society still has to go. Thankfully, this message is starting to get through, as the ASA’s decision shows. In fact, drivers remain dangerously distracted even after they’ve hung up. You might not think it, but research shows talking on a hands-free phone while driving is just as dangerous as using a handset. The ASA ruled the advert promoted unsafe driving practices by implying that attention can be shared between tasks. The advert claimed that Wi-Fi and integrated apps ensure that “drive time is no longer downtime … without compromising safety”. Yet the law – and the car industry itself – hasn’t caught up with the equal dangers of hands-free phone calls while driving.Ī week after the latest penalties for using a handset while driving came into force, the Advertising Standards Agency banned a Jaguar advert which highlighted the benefits of hands-free technology. Authorities recently doubled the penalties for using a handset behind the wheel to six points on your licence and a £200 fine. You can get 3 penalty points if you do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.Get caught using your smartphone while driving in the UK and you’ll be in serious trouble. You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last 2 years. You can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle. The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted. You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead. Hands-free access means using, for example: You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage.
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