Even after 30 years, researchers are still sounding the alarm on the dangers of distracted driving. But drivers aren’t paying attention to the warnings, because they’re too busy checking their texts and updating their play lists.
Researchers at the University of Toronto, who published the original study on which our Sonic Boom story was based, are still leaders in the field, with dozens of studies building on their prior work.
Of course, science can only contribute information; it can’t dictate behavior, or even policy. And if we can’t convince people to be better, safer drivers, we may need to develop smarter cars that can keep their distracted occupants accident-free.
Original Sonic Boom Episode:
Sonic Boom: Car Phone Crashes Transcript
Rhea
Hi. This is Rhea. Today on Sonic Boom, car phone crashes. According to a recent study, car phones can be dangerous. Alex is supposed to be reporting on this, but, well, he’s a little late. Hold on. Hello.
Alex
Hey, Rhea, it’s Alex.
Rhea
Get your ass in the studio.
Alex
Sorry, I got held up. They shut off the water for repairs. I had to wash my hair in the fish tank. I’m on the expressway right now, though.
Rhea
You’re calling from a car phone? Aren’t you gonna tell us how risky they are?
Alex
That’s right. A study in Toronto said people talking on car phones get into four times more accidents than usual. That makes it just as bad as driving drunk. Good thing I’m not drunk. (Get outta the way, you freak!)
Rhea
Look, maybe you’d better just hang up.
Alex
Hey, don’t worry about it. I got a hands free phone. (Pick a lane, jerk!)
Rhea
But didn’t the study say hands free phones were just as bad?
Alex
I didn’t see that.
Rhea
It was on page three.
Alex
Page three. Uh-oh…hold on. Maybe it fell under the seat.
Rhea
Yeah, Alex, that’s okay. I think I can cover it.
Alex
No, hold on. I’ll be right with you.
Rhea
Alex? Oh, my God, say something.
Operator
If you’d l make a call, please hang up and dial again.
Rhea
I should have hung up. I blame myself.
Alex
Hey, what’s up?
Rhea
What the…God, I thought you were in a…
Alex
Sound effect CDs. There’s a whole stack of them in the next room. You ought to try them out.
Rhea
Yeah, like that sound effect of me whacking you upside the head?
Alex
We don’t have that sound effect. Ow!
Rhea
Now we do. For Sonic Boom, this is Rhea with Alex, and we’re gone.
Original study in the New England Journal of Medicine
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199702133360701
Science Magazine news article:
https://www.science.org/content/article/car-phone-use-quadruples-accident-risk
The ROADS project: 2024
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