Academic Articles

Mike Fraser

10/3/09

ENG 106

Academic Articles Summary

I chose to investigate the topic of distracted driving, a danger that we put ourselves in everyday while we are in our vehicles. Numerous distractions can be present at any given time, but perhaps one that raises the most concern is talking, and even worse texting, while driving a vehicle. As technology increases, so do the risks for those on the road. Almost everyone I know owns a cell phone, and of those people, my guess is that more than a few have used it while behind the wheel. To aid in my study, I searched the library’s database for articles related to the issue of driving distracted. Almost instantly, I realized that my topic was one that raised concern from many different groups of specialists.

Cell phones are used by the young and the old, but it is often the case that young drivers don’t seem to recognize the hazards that cell phone use provokes while driving. In his article “Technology and Teen Drivers” which appeared in the Journal of Safety Research in 2007, John D. Lee suggests that young drivers, especially those just starting out, are more likely to interact with “infotainment systems,” as he describes them. The systems he refers to are cell phone messages, cell phone calls, and cd or mp3 player use while behind the wheel. Lee advocates that young drivers be more cautious with their driving habits because they most likely do not yet appreciate the same risks that experienced drivers do. “The early adoption of new technologies, along with risk-taking tendencies and poor ability to anticipate hazardous situations all leave young drivers particularly vulnerable to the distractions posed by the variety of infotainment systems.” He suggests that younger drivers need to be guided into the driver’s seat with more caution and supervision. He feels that stricter graduated licensing policies could deter risky behavior. “By limiting their exposure to young passengers, nighttime driving, and solo driving, teens could learn to drive safer and would be less likely to engage in otherwise problematic driving.” Although I disagree with his solutions to the problem, his article does serve it’s purpose of informing his readers of the dangers of distracted drivers, especially his teenage audience. I feel he also effectively reaches parents, hoping that they will examine their child’s driving habits and help to promote safer driving.

Young drivers aren’t the only ones who should change their driving habits, though. Cell phone use while driving has been an important issue for years. Do we need laws that say where talking on our cell phones should be allowed? Isn’t using a hands-free device safer than holding the phone up to your ear? The last question is the topic of the next article I read dealing with distractions in our vehicles. Since some states currently ban handheld phones while driving but allow for hands-free devices, I figured this article was appropriate. In an article that appeared in the Journal of Safety Research, Yoko Ishigami and Raymond Klein studied the differences of hands-free cell phone use and handheld cell phone use while driving. Their field study involved participants utilizing both types of cell phone devices in order to see if hands-free devices were actually safer. They found that there were insignificant differences in the data, pointing out that, “there was no attention advantage for the HF (hands-free) phone users over the HH (handheld) users.” They were able to show that using either device while driving will impair reaction time. I feel that their research is crucial because it challenges the laws that allow hands-free devices but ban handheld. All cell phone usage while driving is distracting, and I hope their article reached both drivers and lawmakers alike to change the way we drive.

The final article I chose to examine takes a close look at what changes in our mind and behavior when we distract ourselves with cell phones while driving. The article “Physiological and behavioral changes associated to the management of secondary tasks while driving” by Christian Collet and his colleagues, deals with the mental and behavioral processes that occur while driving distracted. Their article describes their study, in which sensors on the chest and fingertips recorded data during their testing. When presented with distractions, such as an incoming phone call, data revealed that the subjects’ heart rates slightly increased. They even found that reaction time (RT) increased 20% when the driver was preoccupied with a phone. Their article provides numerous statistics which helps support their claim that multi-tasking while driving can stimulate arousal and distraction. This article is an excellent source of information for those who feel driving and talking on a phone at the same time is not really a big deal.

These articles have provided me with useful insight on this topic. Cell phones have become so important in our lives that most of us can’t even put them down while driving. I feel more legislative action is needed, including laws in this great state of Michigan, to help drivers avoid engaging in distractions that can result in the taking of their life or the lives of others.

Works Cited

Collet, C., A. Clarion, M. Morel, A. Chapon, and C. Petit. "Physiological and behavioral changes associated to the management of secondary tasks while driving. " Applied Ergonomics 40.6 (2009): 1041. Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.

Ishigami, Y., and R. Klein. "Is a hands-free phone safer than a handheld phone?" Journal of Safety Research 40.2 (2009): 157. Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.

Lee, John D. “Technology and Teen Driver.” Journal of Safety Research 38.2 (2007): 203. Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.