Cellphone Drivers Drive Like Drunks

TDavid writes "A University of Utah study claims that drivers who use a cell phone will be 'more impaired than drunken drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding 0.08.' The study also says that use will turn a driver who is age 20 into age 70. Hands-free systems apparently don't help much either as they still require a driver to 'actively be part of a conversation.' What about in vehicle systems like OnStar?"

Cellphone Drivers Drive Like Drunk

[TeleoMan]

Indeed. And /. editors spell like dumb.

After almost getting hit this morning...

[lukewarmfusion]

That should read:

"Cellphone Drivers Drive Like Women."

Hands free systems

[k4_pacific]

I bought a hands free system so I could talk on the cell phone in the car and IT DIDN'T WORK. As soon as I turned it on and let go of the steering wheel, the car drifted off the road and hit a Big Boy statue. What a rip off.

Order today

[AtariAmarok]

Click here [customphones.com] to order the ideal telephone for the "drunk talker" driver.

in other news...

[revery]

Nokia and Apple team up to create the iFlask. For all your driving impairment needs.

Re:Difference

[ad0gg]

My passenger is blind you insensitive clod.

Re:Difference

[Beatlebum]

>> For example, if a truck suddenly pulls out in front of you, you will suddenly focus on it; your passenger will tend to notice this and stop talking

You're obviously not married.

Not to mention

[paranode]

The study also says that use will turn a driver who is age 20 into age 70.

They have no skills for paraphrasing. If the blurb was true I'd never drink alcohol again for fear of instant wrinkled skin, white hair, and random cancer.

Re:Old People

[cayenne8]

" In my experience, old people don't really drive like they are drunk, just like their car is governed at 35."

I think Dennis Miller summed it up best years ago..."I don't think people should be allowed to drive if they're old enough to remember when there weren't any cars..."

Re:Old People

[Bingo Foo]

So they drive like they're stoned?

Utah??

[Reignking]

What does anyone in the state of Utah know about drinking?

Re:Difference

[Anonymous Coward]

I am married.. and my wife does a AAAEEEEEE! noise and starts grabbing the dash; even though the truck that pulled out is a block away.

Chop

Re:Old People

[merlin_jim]

Because the AARP is one of the most powerful lobbying groups there is, and they fight tooth and nail against anything that even resembles competency testing.

Which is quite ironic, considering who we're talking about here

DRIVING WHILE NOT ME

[blair1q]

There should be a law against "Driving while Not Me", because everyone else on the road is a menace.

Re:Old People

[starm_]

Everyone is so negative that they missed the positive point of this study. The great thing seems to be that driving drunk isn't as bad as we thought it was! The study states that it just about as dangerous as driving while speaking to someone else. That is good news for all of us alcohol consumers!

No Kidding

[MightyMartian]

Cell phone users also act like drunks. They stand in public places, yell very loudly and think that their conversation about whether it's pizza or Chinese tonight is so important we must all hear it.

The only thing missing is public urination, but I'm sure that's an add-on service.

The Aging Process

[pmike_bauer]

The study also says that use will turn a driver who is age 20 into age 70.

This process takes approximately 50 years.

Treo 650 and driving

[CharAznable]

Well, I have a Treo 650 and it's great because I can post on Slashdot while I drive and it's actually quite safe bec[NO CARRIER]

20 = 70 yr old

[Anonymous Coward]

If cell phones turn 20 yr olds into 70 yr olds, shouldn't we also be concerned about 70 yr olds themselves driving???

Re:Old People

[mariox19]

[T]he reason that they are such a strong lobbying group is because old people vote.

Drunk drivers ought to learn from that example!

Re:Old People

[Rude Turnip]

That's why I steer clear of farmers' markets nowadays...because the old people can't!

Re:Difference

[operagost]

Or we have the sudden, sharp inhalation of breath causing a marked decrease in air pressure within the cabin, followed by a thumping sound on the floorboard as the frantic passenger presses her imaginary brake pedal.

I dont se the projblem hetre

[fluxrad]

Im drvnig riht now, an posting to salsgdot though my wirless servic. i dont oarticulaly see the diifficulty. mabe otjers just dopnt have good drving skils.

In all seriousness, though, this simply comes down to personal responsiblity. When I'm driving and I have to take a call, I let the person on the other end of the phone know that they're only going to get the attention of the small part of my mind that isn't focused on driving. If I'm in a heavy traffic situation, I tell the person on the other end I'm going to have to call them back. In other words: take some fscking personal accountability for your actions or stop complaining that we live in a nanny state.

I must be great at driving drunk!

[datawar]

Wow, I drive like a pro when talking on my cellphone! That must mean I'm pretty good after taking down half a fifth of Jack Daniel's too! Sweet!

Re:Utah??

[Big Boss]

You're thinking of BYU. Believe me, the UofU knows all about alcohol!

Re:OnStar

[Jardine]

a cell fone

Watt the phuck is eh "fone"?

Re:Old People

[Anonymous Coward]

So you're saying they drive like mexicans?

Re:Old People

[PW2]

The problem with public transportation is that the vehicles are now quiet enough that all passengers would know when an old person is getting their money's worth out of their Depends. Old people are generally rich enough to replace the seats of their Caddy if needed. (Having their car "take one for the team" would be part of the annual budget) -- I'm not that much better now though -- I'd hate to see what I'm like in 40 years

Re:Difference

[pipingguy]

if a truck suddenly pulls out in front of you, you will suddenly focus on it; your passenger will tend to notice this and stop talking.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?