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Research on the usage of mobile phone and its impact while driving

arranged in a hierarchy of complexity from simple tocomplex.

REPORT

MANAGING BUSINESSRESEARCH

Submitted To:

Sir Asim Athor

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SAYED MURAD ALI SHAH

ID: 1274

Class: MBA IV

CELL No : 0344-3470948

SIGNATURE: ________________

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTACKNOWLEDGMENT

First of all thanks to ALLAH Almighty for giving us strength and courage to come upFirst of all thanks to ALLAH Almighty for giving us strength and courage to come upwith such taskswith such tasks

Then special thanks to Miss Farah Nawaz for her endless support and help, withoutThen special thanks to Miss Farah Nawaz for her endless support and help, without which coming up this report would have been next to impossible. She gave us suchwhich coming up this report would have been next to impossible. She gave us such informative project to enhance our capabilities and thanks for her ideas and concepts thatinformative project to enhance our capabilities and thanks for her ideas and concepts thathelp us to do this project successfully. We had a great experience and we also learned ahelp us to do this project successfully. We had a great experience and we also learned a lot through this research.lot through this research.

We are also thankful to our esteem teacher Sir Asim Athor for his great efforts in clearingWe are also thankful to our esteem teacher Sir Asim Athor for his great efforts in clearingour concepts regarding research.our concepts regarding research.

Then last but not the least we would like to thank our classmates and other friends whoThen last but not the least we would like to thank our classmates and other friends whowere very co-operative with us throughout this report and semester.were very co-operative with us throughout this report and semester.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The number of cell phone subscribers in the country has crossed the 10 million mark forthe first time ever, outnumbering those using the 50-year-old fixed telephony service by100 percent in just ten years. The objective of this report is to summarize existinginformation on the subject of mobile phone use while driving, in order to provide aconcise summary of the issues for the public, researchers, and legislators alike. The reportdiscusses the benefits of mobile phone usage while driving, such as driver safety and timeuse efficiency, and negative aspects such as its potential for driver distraction resulting inaccidents.

The report contains information on the demographics of mobile phone use in thePakistan, focusing on user demographics and frequency of usage while driving. Althoughonce used primarily by high-income business people, user demographics are now muchmore similar to the demographics of the Pakistan population as a whole. Findings fromliterature on the subject of mobile phone use and driving performance are highly variable.In general, the literature shows that the effect of mobile phone use on driving is acomplex issue with several influencing factors including the type of mobile phone used,the type of conversation undertaken, and the demographics of the user. In general, it wasfound that mobile phone use does have an adverse affect on driving performance, but thesignificance of the distraction is difficult to quantify.

This report concludes that data collection on a university scale is the first, most importantstep to accurately evaluating the risk associated with mobile phone use, and thereforeassessing the need for any legislative regulations on usage. Several countries havealready banned mobile phone use while driving. Alternatively, laws may develop through

civil court cases where mobile phone users, manufacturers, service providers, etc. arefound liable for automobile accidents. With mobile phone use likely to continue toincrease in the future, the safety of driving while using a mobile phone will become avery important safety issue. Therefore, it is important to begin to collect better data on therisks associated with using a mobile phone while driving. In this manner, the need forlegislation can be accurately measured, and, if legislation is needed, its extent, role, andeffectiveness in saving lives can be better assessed.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Research Process 6

Introduction SectionIntroduction 7Objective and scope 9Literature Review 10Problem Statement 12Theoretical Framework 13Relationship among the Variables 14Hypothesis Testing 16Research Design Details 17

Methods SectionSampling 18Data Collection Methods 19

ResultsFeel for the data 19

Graphical analysis 20

Findings 29

Conclusions 30

Recommendations 31

Appendix A 32

Appendix B 34

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RESEARCH PROCESS

6

ObservationObserving the

increasing trend ofaccidents inPakistan.

PreliminaryData

GatheringLiterature Survey of

usage of mobilephones and its impact

while driving

Problemdefinition

usage of mobile phoneand its impactwhile driving.

Theoretical

Framework

IndependentVariable:

Incoming &Outgoing calls

and textmessages

Dependent

Variable:Accidents

ModeratingVariable:

Ignore calls andavoid textingIntervening

Variable:

ScientificDesign

Explanatory Co-relational Non-Contrived Individuals

Cross-Sectional

Data Collection / Analysis

- Analysis of questionnaire

YesReportWriting

Presentation Discussion

Hypothesis

Using mobilephone while

driving, resultsin an increase inthe accidents.

.

Deduction 24% strongly disagree to the fact that

mobile phones should be used whiledriving.

Talking on mobile phones deviate theconcentration from driving.

New gadgets should be introduced inthe car to prevent accidents.

Most of the people use mobile phone incase of emergency while driving.


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INTRODUCTION SECTION -1

INTRODUCTION:-

Mobile phones first appeared in Pakistan during the 1980s, but were expensive andbulky. However, modern mobile phones are small, compact, easy to use and have becomean essential part of life for many people. Changes in the technology, from heavy,cumbersome and expensive cellular telephones, to inexpensive, miniature hand heldunits, smaller than a pack of cigarettes, have had a significant impact on when, where andhow we conduct our affairs, both business and personal. Societal pressures for increasedefficiency, more leisure time, and an improved sense of safety, have placed wirelesscommunications at the forefront of potential solutions for an increasingly mobile andtechnologically sophisticated populace.

However, there is considerable concern that using a mobile phone while driving creates a

significant accident risk, to the user and to other people on the road, because it distractsthe driver, impairs their control of the vehicle and reduces their awareness of what ishappening on the road around them.

Physical Distraction

When using a hand-held mobile phone, drivers must remove one hand from the steeringwheel to hold and operate the phone. They must also take their eyes off the road, atleastmomentarily, to pick up and putdown the phone and to dial numbers. While using a hand-held phone, the driver must continue to simultaneously operate the vehicle (steer, changegear, use indicators,etc) with only one hand. Although the physical distraction is fargreater with hand-held phones, there is still some physical activity with hands-freesystems. Even though they do not need to be held during the call, the driver must stilldivert their eyes from the road to locate the phone and (usually) press atleastone button.

Cognitive Distraction

When mental (cognitive) tasks are performed concurrently, the performance of both tasksis often worse than if they were performed separately, because attention has to bedivided, or switched, between the tasks and the tasks must compete for the samecognitive processes. When a driver is using a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone

while driving,She or he must devote part of their attention to operating the phone and maintaining thetelephone conversation and part to operating the vehicle and responding to the constantlychanging road and traffic conditions. The demands of the phone conversation mustcompete with the demands of driving the vehicle safely.

This Review examines the effects that using a mobile phone while driving has on drivingperformance and on accident risk. It comprises:

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1. The amount of concentration, which is needed when, driving, is not highenough when youre on a mobile as you are giving a lot of attention to yourphone and not the road. This means you can easily miss vital road signs etc

and perhaps then be putting lives at risk.

2. If you have one hand to hold the phone, you only have one hand free tocontrol the steering wheel which controls the car so you are in a much greaterrisk of losing control of the vehicle and having an accident. You can beputting your life and other's lives at risk.

3. There is a high chance that the police will catch you as it is completely illegal.There is many police that could just drive past your car and spot you driving,then your can get arrested and could then possibly get a fine of o to prison.

Cellular telephone use while driving is not without controversy. Public, legislative, andmedia concern about the safety of using a cellular telephone while driving has beenexpressed for some time. In recent years, perhaps because of the growing user population,the frequency with which concern has been voiced has grown considerably. It is thefrequency with which these concerns have been raised, from the public, members ofCongress and the media, that has prompted the research described in this report.

Mobile-phone use while driving is common but controversial. While few jurisdictionshave banned motorists from using mobile phones while driving outright, some have banned or restricted drivers from using hand-held mobile phones while exemptingphones operated in a hands-free fashion. It is generally agreed that using a hand-held

mobile phone while driving is a distraction that brings risk of road traffic accidents.However, some studies have found similarly elevated accident rates among drivers usinghands-free phones, suggesting that the distraction of a telephone conversation itself is themain safety problem.

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OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE:

The objective of this report is to assess the current state of knowledge regarding theimpact of cellular telephone use on motor vehicle drivers while driving, and explore thebroader safety issues associated with such use. While the primary scope of this reportfocuses on the potential impact of voice communications on driving, continuingdevelopment and availability of cellular technologies with integrated office functionality(e.g., network/Internet access, e-mail, paging, etc.) has also raised questions among someobservers about the potential implications of such use on traffic safety. Thus, whererelevant, consideration is also given to the possible impact of these technologicaldevelopments.

The approach taken in preparing this report included a review of available literature,

targeted data collection and the identification of potential links between driver phone useand specific traffic hazards.

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LITERATURE REVIEW

Review 1

Dont talk & drive warns new code.

DATE: Friday, Feb 26, 1999 published at 11:39 GMT

SOURCE: BBC NEWS/UK

The article is from a news column in BBA News UK. It states that whiledriving, talking on mobile phone, even a hand free type is prohibited in newdrivers manual, the HIGHWAY CODE, plus it can be dangerously

distracting while driving. Highway Code is used as benchmarks by thecourts; however it is not a legal forced law. Drivers who have accidentswhile using mobile phones are less likely to get sympathetic hearings from

judges. Using mobile phones while driving distracts the drivers attentionfrom the road which results in accidents. The article also states that there area number of drivers who have been imprisoned after having such accidents.

An incident is quoted in this article that there was a women who was jailedfor 12 months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. She hitthe car badly while overtaking as she talked to her boyfriend on her mobile

phone. Overall this article briefly tells about the new code for driversincluding cautions and advices on courteous and considerable driving.

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Review 2

MOBILE PHONE AND DRIVING

DATE: Monday, 26 May 2003 Published at 12:32 GMT

AUTHOR: Freddy Decrose and John Mathews.

The article highlights that using mobile while driving can cause seriousmishaps. It states that although mobile phones have made communicationeasier but they have proved to be a lethal weapon combined with driving. Adriver is four times more likely to crash his car that uses mobile phone while

driving; however this is also a fact that under any crashes, usage of mobilephones is underestimated. Using a mobile phone while driving can causeboth cognitive and physical distractions; specifically it impairs a drivers:reaction time, visual search patterns, ability to maintain speed & position onroad and other various things. The article also highlights on the TACS newcampaign against this regard and The Law under which it was stated thatVictoria banned the use of mobile phones in 1988 and using a handheldmobile phone is the third most common on the spot offence

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PROBLEM STATEMENT:

Usage of mobile phone and its impact

while driving

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THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:

Independent Variable VS Dependent Variable

The relationship between the Dependent and Independent variables is positive, asit is clear that if a person attends or makes a call while driving then it could lead toan accident. Similarly, if a person texts a message or receives a message whiledriving then again it can lead to an accident.

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Moderating Variable

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Accidents

Incoming & Outgoing

calls

Text messages

Accidents

Ignore

calls &

avoid

texting

Incoming & Outgoingcalls

Text messages


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The relationship between the Moderating Variable and the Dependent Variablecan either be positive or negative as it depend from case to case. If a personignores a call and avoid texting while driving then it has a positive effect onaccidents else a negative impact might be seen. Even if a person ignores a call butdoes not avoid texting, then again it is dangerous as a person can indulge in an

accident.

Independent variable

Intervening Variable Dependent Variable

As distraction increases with the increase of time, so accidents also increase withthe time. Here, distraction affects on incoming & outgoing calls and text messagesand both of them produces a great impact on accidents. So, intervening variable isdistraction.

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Incoming &

Outgoing

calls

Text Messages

AccidentsDistraction


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RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE VARIABLES

Independent variable

Intervening Variable Dependent Variable

15

Incoming &

Outgoing

Text Messages

Accidents

Ignore

calls &

avoid

texting

Distraction


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HYPOTHESIS TESTING

Ho: Null Hypothesis

Usage of mobile phone while driving is the reason in causing accidents.

HA: Alternative Hypothesis

Using mobile phone while driving does not has a direct effect in causing accidents.

Statistical Test

As the sample size is greater then 30 therefore Z-test will be used.

Level of Significance

Using 95% confidence interval we have:

= 5% = 0.05

/2 = 2.5% = .025

Z /2 = 1.967

Computation:

Z = (xbar ) / (/n)

=-1.68

Decision

As per the calculated value is less then the critical value, therefore we will accept the nullhypothesis.

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RESEARCH DESIGN DETAILS

Purpose of Study

The purpose of our study is exploratory in nature due to the fact that we did not possesmuch information and no research work had been done in the past. This research projectwas to ascertain the importance of incoming & outgoing calls and text messages that arenecessary in concluding that how many accidents or how often accidents takes place.

Type of Investigation

We wish to find the important variables associated with the problem not to find the causeof the problem. Therefore, our study is completely co-relational in nature, as we onlyhave to find the contributing factors.

Study Setting

This is a non-contrived study as our survey took place in a natural environment. Thesetting was neither controlled nor any artificial settings created.

Unit of Analysis

Because the researchers were interested in ascertaining the degree that how important isthe usage of mobile phone while driving in causing accidents, the unit of analysis for this

purpose were the individuals. Data would be collected from them (students of Bahria)and would be treated as the data source.

Time Horizon

The data for this research were collected over a period of one week. Because no previousresearch had been done by the team on this topic or on any subsequent extension of theresearch contemplated, the study is one-shot or cross-sectional in nature.

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METHOD SECTION: -- 2

Sample

The population of the study comprises the students of Bahria University located inKarachi. Formal questionnaires where dispatched to these students personallyadministered by the group members.

The questionnaire comprised of 16 questions. The questionnaires took the basicinformation of the causes, and then came to their impacts of mobile phones while driving.

The questionnaires were forwarded to approximately 125 students out of whom only 110students filled out the questionnaires.

Data-Collection MethodsThe questionnaires were sent physically to the respondents and were personallyadministered by the group members. The questionnaire took on an average of about 15 to20 minutes to be completed.

Our research team assured the respondents that their responses would be kept confidentialand will not be used in any manner that is deviant to the research.

Sources of Data

Secondary Data: - Most of the secondary data is collected from internetthrough websites and magazines

Primary Data: - Primary data is collected through questionnairesdistributed to the people.

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RESULTS SECTION - 3

Feel for the Data

The results that we have been able to extract from the information have been as follows.It shows the number of responses that have been achieved through each option in everysingle question.

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Graphical Analysis

1. Mobile phone may be used while driving?MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

Both the sexes had the same views on this question. 24% strongly disagree to the fact thatmobile phones should be used while driving. 17% of them strongly agree with the

question asked. 23% had neutral thoughts while 19% disagreed with the question.

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17%3%

1917%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREENEUTRAL DISAGREESTRONGLY DISAGREE

17%23%

19%17%

24%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREENEUTRAL DISAGREESTRONGLY DISAGREE


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2. Do you use mobile phone while driving? MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

The above question posed to see use of mobile phone. Form the total sample size of male53% of them use mobile phone while driving and 47% do not use mobile phone whiledriving. On the other hand, in the total sample size female 34% of them use mobile phonewhile driving and 66% of them are not use mobile phone while driving.

3. In what situation would you prefer to use mobile phone while driving?

21

47%

53%

Yes No

66%

34%

Yes No


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12%

4%

10%13%

61%

In case of emergency Contacting friend/family Checking messages

Listening music All of the above

ov

6%

6%3%13%

72%

In case of emergency Contacting friend/family Checking messagesListening music All of the above

ov


MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

Most of the sample population uses mobile phones in case of emergency while they areon the road. 72% females and 61% males use it in case of emergency. 6% of the femalepopulation and 12% of the male population use mobile phone to contact a friend orfamily while driving. 6% of females and 4% males check their messages while drivingand 3% females and 10% males listen to music on their mobile phones when they are onthe move.

4. What type of cell phone you prefer to use while driving?

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MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

This question shows that different types of cell phones used by, while driving. Majorityof the male population i.e. 48% used hands free phone system/phone mounted in the car.

26% used hand-held, with microphone, 23% used hand-held, no microphone and only 3%have some other resources. From the female side majority of them used hands free phonesystem/phone mounted in car, 31% used hand held, with microphone, 6% used hand-heldwith no microphone and only 3% used some other resources.

5. Have you ever experienced an accident while using cell phone?

23

26%

48%

3%

23%

Hand-held,no microphone Hand-held,with microphone

Hands free phone system/phone mounted in car Other

31%

60%

3%6%

Hand-held,no microphone Hand-held,with microphone

Hands free phone system/phone mounted in car Other


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22%

3%


MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

The above question related with an experience of accident while driving. From the maleside 22% have experienced an accident while 78% have not any experienced of anaccident when they were on the mobile phone while driving. From the female side 13%have an accident while 87% have not when they were on the mobile phone while driving.

6. If yes then what were you doing at the time of accident?

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41%

6%

0%

25%

0%


MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

The question posed to see the reason of accident while driving.75% of the femalepopulation and 17% males had an accident when they were dialing number on theirmobile phone. 41% males had an accident when they were talking or listening on the cellphone and 41% while they were answering the call.

7. In your opinion, how important was the cell phone in causing the accidents?

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MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

Both the males and the females had similar answers to this question. 45% thought that thecell phone was very important in causing the accident. 35% said that it was somewhatimportant. 10% stated that it was not at all important while 10% were uncertain of thesituation.

8. Talking on mobile phones deviate the concentration from driving?

26

35%

10%10%

45%

Very important Some what important Not at all important Uncertain

35%

10%10%

45%



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39%

15%4%5%

37%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE

44%

16%6%6%

28%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE


MALE

FEMALE

ANALYSIS:

Talking on the cell phone deviates the concentration from driving. 28% females and 37%males strongly agree with the statement. 44% females and 39% males agree. 16%females and 15% males have neutral thoughts over this statement. 6% of females and 4%males disagree with the statement and 6% females and 5% males strongly disagree.

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19%

13%


9. Do you believe that new gadgets should be invented/introduced in car to preventaccidents while driving?

MALE

FEMALE:

ANALYSIS:

The above question shows that new gadgets be introduced in car for preventing accidents.

81% Male and 87% Female do believe that new gadgets should be introduced in car toprevent accidents while driving while19% Male and13% Female do not believe that newgadgets should be introduced in the car.

FINDINGS

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24% strongly disagree to the fact that mobile phones should be used while driving. 53% Male and 34% Female do use mobile phones while driving.

72% females and 61% males use the mobile phone in case of emergency whiledriving.

Most of the people usually prefer to use hands free phone system/phone mounted incar.

82% Male got indulge in an accident due to answering and listening on the cellphone.

45% of the sample size says that the mobile phone use was of great importance incausing the accident.

39% Male and 44% Female do agree with the fact that talking on mobile phonesdeviate the concentration from driving.

49% Male and 44% Female never pull the car off the road in order to use the cellphone.

Majority of the sample size do believe that new gadgets should be introduced in thecar to prevent accidents.

CONCLUSION

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The growth in the use of mobile phones has been phenomenal, and extremely rapid.Mobile phones provide a wide range of important social and work benefits, and, in somecircumstances, are an important safety feature, allowing users to summon help or reportaccidents. However, using a mobile phone while driving creates a significant accident

risk. Many studies, using a variety of research techniques including simulated drivingtasks, advanced driving simulators, real driving on off-road circuits and driving on realroads, provide evidence that using a mobile phone while driving impairs drivingperformance in many ways.

Lateral PositionThe majority of research indicates that drivers maintenance of a constant appropriatelane position is impaired when using a mobile phone.

Maintenance of SpeedThe majority of research indicates that drivers find it more difficult to maintain an

appropriate and predictable speed while using a mobile phone which sometimes leads toreducing their speed and sometimes to increasing it.

Reaction TimesThe evidence indicates that drivers take longer to detect and respond to changes, such asa vehicle in front decelerating, which leads to slower braking times.

Following DistancesWhen using a mobile phone, drivers are more likely to reduce their followingdistance from the vehicle in front. When this effect is coupled with slower reaction

times, the risk of a collision is even greater.

Gap Mental WorkloadMost of the studies show that using a mobile phone while driving increases driversmental workload, often resulting in higher stress and frustration levels. There is evidencethat drivers have to switch their attention between driving and using the phone,sometimes giving more attention to the phone call than to the road situation.

Accident Risk

Although few studies have been conducted to assess the increase in accident risk causedby using a mobile phone when driving, those that have confirm that the impairmentcreated by using a mobile phone does result in an increased likelihood of being involvedin an accident.

RECOMMENDATION

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The effect of legislation in other countries to prohibit or restrict the use of mobile phoneswhilst driving should be analyzed. A wide-ranging survey of Police Officers, of all ranks,should be conducted to assess their experience and views about the extent of theirexisting powers to deal with drivers who use a mobile phone while driving.

Government (both Central and Local) and other agencies should continue to conducteducation and publicity campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of using a mobilephone, whether hand-held or hands-free, while driving.

The lack of accident data is preventing an accurate assessment of the number of peoplekilled or injured in accidents involving the use of a mobile phone by a driver. Therefore,methods to record whether drivers involved in accidents had a mobile phone with them,and whether it was being used at the time or shortly preceding the accident, should bedeveloped and implemented.

Appendix A:

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This questionnaire is a part of a research project being carried out by students of Kasbit

University, (Karachi Campus), Bachelors of Business Administration as a partial fulfillment of

course, Research Methods & Techniques.

Name: ______________________________ Age: 15---18 18---21 21---24 24 or more

Gender: Male Female

1. Mobile phones may be used while driving?

Strongly-Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly-Disagree

2. Do you use mobile phone while driving?

Yes No

3. In what situation would you prefer to use mobile phones while driving?

In case of emergency Contacting friends /family Checking messages Listening music

All of the above

4. What type of cell phone you prefer to use while driving?

Hand-held, no microphone Hand-held, with microphone Hands free phone system / phone mounted in car Other

5. Have you ever experienced an accident while using cell phone?

Yes No

6. If yes then what were you doing at the time of accident?

Talking/listening on the cell phone Dialing the cell phone

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Answering the cell phone Other

7. In your opinion, how important was the cell phone in causing the accidents?


8. Talking on mobile phones deviates the concentration from driving.

Strongly-agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly-disagree

9. Do you believe that new gadgets should be invented/introduced in car to prevent

accidents while driving?

Yes No

Appendix B:

Article # 1

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Friday, February 26, 1999 Published at 11:39 GMT

UK

Don't talk and drive warns new code

Using a mobile can be 'dangerously distracting'

Driving while talking on a mobile phone is now specifically prohibited in the updatededition of the drivers' manual, the Highway Code.

The new version warns that talking on a phone, even a hands-free type, can bedangerously distracting while driving.

Although the Highway Code is not a legal document and its recommendations do nothave the force of law, they are used as benchmarks by the courts.

Drivers who have accidents while using a mobile telephone are now even less likely toget sympathetic hearings from judges or magistrates.

The road users' guide's new Section 127 warns: "Never use a hand-held mobile phone ormicrophone while driving."

But even using hands-free systems is "likely to distract your attention from the road", itsays.Police forces currently have to decide if phone use constitutes an offence.

A number of drivers have been imprisoned after having accidents while they were talkingon mobile phones.

Earlier this month a woman was jailed for 12 months after admitting causing death bydangerous driving. She hit another car while overtaking at 70mph as she talked to herboyfriend on a mobile telephone.

The latest edition of Britain's best-selling book also covers new rules about driving underthe influence of drugs and medicines.It cautions motorists against driving while tired. For the first time, it also tackles roadrage by including advice on courteous and considerate driving.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/286677.stm

ARTICLE 2

MOBILE WORSE THAN DRINK-DRIVING

Talking on a mobile phone while driving is more dangerous than being over the legalalcohol limit, according to research.

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Tests by scientists at the Transport Research Laboratory said drivers on mobiles hadslower reaction times and stopping times than those under the influence of alcohol.And it said hands-free kits were almost as dangerous as hand-held phones.Using a hand-held mobile while driving is illegal in more than 30 countries, but in theUK drivers are usually prosecuted for dangerous or careless driving.

Roger Vincent of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents called for a specificoffence of using a mobile while driving for the UK - even with a hands-free kit."The problem is you actually get sucked into the telephone conversation, and theconversation starts to take precedence over the driving task," he told BBC News."The person on the end of the phone doesn't know the driving conditions around you. Ifsomeone's in the car talking to you they can stop talking if a dangerous situation arises."People just don't seem to understand how distracting these telephone conversations are."The research said reaction times were, on average, 30% slower when talking on a mobilethan when just over the legal limit, and nearly 50% slower than when driving normally.Drivers were also less able to maintain a constant speed and found it more difficult tokeep a safe distance from the car in front.

In the tests at 70 miles per hour, the braking distance was 102ft (31m), which increased to115ft (35m) with alcohol; 128ft (39m) with a hands-free phone and 148ft (45m) with ahand-held mobile.The study, which was sponsored by insurer Direct Line, involved a panel of 20 volunteersusing a driving simulator.Janet Anderson, MP for Rosendale and Darwen, is currently trying to push a bill throughwhich would ban the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving.The second reading is expected to take place on 12 April.Welcoming the report's findings, Ms Anderson said: "We must all recognise that drivingand using mobile phones can kill. It takes less than a split second for a lapse inconcentration to result in an accident."It must therefore be made crystal clear to drivers who insist on behaving in this way thatthey endanger the safety of the public generally, and their own safety too. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1885775.stm

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