Driving Under the Influence of Cell Phones

Abstract
This paper examines the different results and findings of studies that used a driving simulator to test the effects of cell phone usage on driving performance. Driving while using a cell phone has become an important topic today due to its multiple effects on driving performance, like similarities of low cognitive functioning compared to driving under the influence (DUI) and the illegality of certain cell phone features. The usage of cell phones amongst young adults while driving is a major concern in the United States due to their high susceptibility of alcohol-related crashes. A new future DUI is emerging due to its detrimental and fatal affects over the course of time. Text messaging is the most dangerous feature used on a cell phone while driving. While some features such as text messaging have been banned illegal, researchers still seek to understand why all features of cell phone usage have not been proclaimed illegal.
Keywords: hands-free cell phone usage, handheld cell phone usage

A New DUI: Driving Under the Influence of a Cell Phone
Numerous studies have been conducted on various aspects of cell phone usage focusing on its impact on driving performance in the context of comparing the use of hands-free and handheld interactions to text messaging. Driving while using a cell phone has become an important topic today due to its multiple effects on driving performance, like similarities of low cognitive functioning compared to driving under the influence (DUI) and the illegality of certain cell phone features. There is a substantial amount of evidence to show the impacting effects of cell phone distractions on driving performance. In order to comprehend how driving while using a cell phone is on the verge of possibly becoming a new form of a DUI, all implications of the studies need to be examined and possible solutions for additional research should be presented.
Literature Review
The usage of cell phones amongst young, inexperienced adults while driving is a serious distraction related to poor driving performance. It is discovered that more than 100 million drivers engage in multiple activities while driving in the Unites States (Strayer, Drews, & Crouch, 2006). Amongst these millions of drivers, most distraction related accidents occur among young, novice drivers (Rosenbloom, 2006). According to Hosking, Reagan and Young (2009), young drivers are more susceptible to engaging in multiple activities, rather its texting or using a navigation system, than seasoned drivers due to their illusion of unique vulnerability exposing them to an increased risk to distraction related crashes. Another possible explanation of why young drivers tend to engage in dangerous activities while driving may be due to their pluralistic ignorance. Many young adults overestimate the percentage of their peers or others engaging in a particular activity which in response leads to faulty decision making impacting driving performance.
Various distractions catch driver’s attention in different ways leading to an array of different responses. For instance, in-vehicle distractions such as the driver physically conversing with a passenger will affect driving performance differently than the driver conversing on a cell phone. Supporting the idea that the types of conversations drivers have affect their driving performance, research exhibited that the safest or the least affecting type of in-vehicle distraction was associated with drivers conversing with a passenger. Passengers are more than likely to be an extra pair of eyes to the driver for guidance as well as signaling for dangerous cues (Horberry, et al. 2006). In most cases, drivers often become more alert on their own of dangerous hazards when in the presence of a passenger. In contrast, drivers who conversed on a cell phone or focused on other passengers were more susceptible to hazards (Charlton, 2009). This is a major concern in the United States because young drivers are also the most susceptible to alcohol-related crashes.
In comparison to DUI of alcohol and drugs, a new future DUI is emerging due to its detrimental and fatal affects over the course of time. Just as drunk drivers experience alcohol myopia, alcohol impeding the ability to properly process all information, drivers engaging in other activities while driving also experience delayed motor or cognitive functioning. Instead of possessing a more aggressive style of driving, visible in drunk drivers, in-vehicle distracted drivers followed closer to other cars leading to more rear-end collisions as well as took longer to regain their speed before braking (Muhrer & Vollrath, 2011). Researchers suggested that the interference associated with cell phone use was attributable to attentional factors rather than to peripheral factor such as holding the phone (Strayer, et al. 2002).
Rather it is making a quick phone call or using other features, such as the navigation system, the use of sending and receiving text messages appears to be the most dangerous use while driving. The risk of being involved in a distraction-related accident when texting and driving is more than double that of merely conversing on a cell phone (Horberry, et al. 2006). When driving, all attention is supposed to be directed to the roadway at all times to enhance safety. According to Hosking, et al. (2009), using any type of manual input on a cell phone device while driving resulted in displacement of driver’s lateral position, created larger reaction times to peripheral stimuli and led to an increase in the number of missed traffic signals. Due to the harsh implications dangers of text messaging on driving performance, it is now deemed illegal Georgia; yet, many Georgians still engage in this activity due to the lack of enforcement of this law.
Discussion
In today’s society, things have greatly changed compared to past generations. Our society is more technologically advanced than ever before which in turn produced highly advanced smartphones that have many useful features like the navigation system. Also, it is difficult to distinguish driving related accidents due to cell phone distraction from purely reckless drivers. The invention of ear pieces and On-Star capabilities also make it harder for law enforcement to crack down on individuals. The lack honest participation in study or realistic situations could also affect limitations of study by threatening various aspects if internal validity such as instrumentation and selection of participants. Research funding is also a very important factor to consider. Participants have to be paid for their time and many trials are necessary to produce accurate results.
Conclusion
While some features such as text messaging have been banned illegal, researchers still seek to understand why all features of cell phone usage have not been proclaimed illegal. Driving while using a cell phone has become an important topic today due to its multiple effects on driving performance, like similarities of low cognitive functioning compared to DUI and the illegality of certain cell phone features. The usage of cell phones amongst young adults while driving is a major concern in the United States due to their high susceptibility of alcohol-related crashes.

References
Charlton, S. G. (2009). Driving while conversing: Cell phones that distract and passengers who react. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 41(1), 160-173. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2008.10.006
Horberry, T., Anderson, J., Triggs, T., Michael, A. & Brown, J. (n.d). Driver distraction: The effects of concurrent in-vehicle tasks, road environment complexity and age on driving performance. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 38185-191. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2005.09.007
Hosking, S. G., Young, K. L., & Regan, M. A. (2009). The effects of text messaging on young drivers. Human Factors, 51(4), 582-592. doi: 10.1177/0018720809341575
Muhrer, E., & Vollrath, M. (2011). The effect of visual and cognitive distraction on driver’s anticipation in a simulated car following scenario. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 14(6), 555-566. doi:10.1016/j.trf.2011.06.003
Rosenbloom, T. (2006). Driving performance while using cell phones: An observational study. Journal of Safety Research, 37(2), 207-212. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2005.11.007
Strayer, D., Drews, F., & Crouch, D. (2006). A comparison of the cell phone driver and the drunk driver. Human Factors, 48(2), 381-391.

References: Charlton, S. G. (2009). Driving while conversing: Cell phones that distract and passengers who react. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 41(1), 160-173. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2008.10.006 Horberry, T., Anderson, J., Triggs, T., Michael, A. & Brown, J. (n.d). Driver distraction: The effects of concurrent in-vehicle tasks, road environment complexity and age on driving performance. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 38185-191. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2005.09.007 Hosking, S. G., Young, K. L., & Regan, M. A. (2009). The effects of text messaging on young drivers. Human Factors, 51(4), 582-592. doi: 10.1177/0018720809341575 Muhrer, E., & Vollrath, M. (2011). The effect of visual and cognitive distraction on driver’s anticipation in a simulated car following scenario. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 14(6), 555-566. doi:10.1016/j.trf.2011.06.003 Rosenbloom, T. (2006). Driving performance while using cell phones: An observational study. Journal of Safety Research, 37(2), 207-212. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2005.11.007 Strayer, D., Drews, F., & Crouch, D. (2006). A comparison of the cell phone driver and the drunk driver. Human Factors, 48(2), 381-391.