Cell phones are almost a must have in today’s world, mostly due to their benefits. It is no wonder that there are over 180 million cell phones in the country (Wogalter and Mayhorn, 2005). This not only illustrates the wide access but also the usage. This wide usage has various upshots, key among them its effect on the person while driving. While virtually everyone agrees that the use of cell phones while driving is dangerous, majority believe that their own usage is not dangerous; that danger only arises if the other person uses it. This is referred to as optimism bias and it is because of it that many people oppose the ban of cell phone use while driving (Wogalter and Mayhorn, 2005).
Though many people believe personally they are not affected by using a cell phone while driving, research proves otherwise. Research indicates that such usage affects a person in two perspectives: cognitive load and attention distraction. Attention distraction mainly occurs when the driver is dialing a number, texting, or answering a call. Ideally the driver’s attention, both mental and physical, is on the cell phone. Such distraction can cause the driver to take their eyes of the road, and may not see, or see other road users when it is too late.
For instance, a driver texting may not see a minor or animal crossing the road or they may notice when it is too late and swerve to avoid hitting them. Distraction mainly arises when the driver uses hand held cell phones. The effects of attention distraction are more serious than the effects of cognitive load and in many cases lead to accidents.
Cognitive load occurs when the driver’s mental attention is absorbed when talking or listening on the phone (Wogalter and Mayhorn, 2005). The driver has to process the information heard and also the reply thereto. This temporarily prevents or hampers the driver’s ability to process information related to or in the driving environment (Strayer and Drews, 2007). Additionally, this cognitive load induces inattention blindness on the driver, causing them to fail to notice objects on the road (Strayer and Drews, 2007).
Research indicates that cognitive load may cause a driver to miss vital traffic signs, respond slowly to signals, and are more likely to cause rear-end collision. In addition the driver’s ability to take evasive actions such as swerving or braking is greatly compromised. Cognitive load arises when the driver is using hands free devices such as Bluetooth and voice activated. The effects of cognitive load are not as severe as those of attention distraction, though this depends on the mental status of the driver.
The foregoing shows that a driver should not combine driving and using a cell phone. Though many people justify the use of cell phones with the ability to multi task, Strayer and Drews (2007) point out that such dual tasking is dangerous (131). This is because the processing demands of using a cell phone impair the driver’s ability to meet the processing demands of driving.
In conclusion therefore, the effect of cell phone use on the driver’s attention may be summarized as the increase in non response and delayed response to traffic situations. The extent of the effect however varies depending on the age and experience of the driver. It also varies depending on the type of cell phone being used; whether a hand held or hands free. Even though there are benefits in using cell phones while driving, the risks of its effects on the driver far outweigh the benefits.
References
Strayer, D. L. and Drews, F. A. (2007). Cell-Phone-Induced Driver Distraction. Association for
Psychological Science. Volume 16 – Number 3: 128 – 131. Print.
Wogalter, M. S. and Mayhorn, C. B. (2005). Perceptions of Driver Distraction by Cellular Phone
Users and Nonusers. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 47: 455 – 467. Print.
