Mobile texters slated
Drivers who text while on the move are playing with their lives, companies have been warned, after new research showed the practice is as dangerous as being drunk or high on drugs behind the wheel...
Report author Dr Nick Reed, senior human factors researcher at TRL (Transport Research Laboratory), warned companies: “Given that the results demonstrate a significant impairment to driving performance, this has a knock-on effect for businesses where text messaging on the move may be a common occurrence.”
The research revealed that car users drive erratically and increase their risk of being in a crash if they text while driving. During tests, drivers completely missed danger signs on the road, swerved out of lane and failed to keep to a steady speed.
This was the first UK research into the effects of texting while driving, which was carried out for the RAC Foundation by TRL using a driving simulator to look at the effects of writing, reading or ignoring text messages on the driving skills of 17 to 24-year-old motorists.
Illegal
A majority of participants in the study felt that use of a phone while driving for texting, either handheld or in a cradle, should be illegal, but despite the dangers, 48% of UK drivers surveyed aged 18 to 24 admitted to texting while driving.
The aim of the study was to assess the impact of text messaging on driver performance, and the attitudes and beliefs that surrounded the activity among young drivers.
Reaction times, car following ability, lane control, and driver speed were used as measures of driver performance and driver attitudes were assessed using personality questionnaires.
The TRL driving simulator was used to conduct the research. Seventeen participants between the ages of 17-24 were recruited for the study. All participants described themselves as regular users of text messaging.
Reaction times for those engaged in texting deteriorated by 35% – worse than alcohol at the legal limit (12% slower) and driving under the influence of cannabis (21% slower). Steering control and the ability to maintain a safe following distance were also worse. Furthermore, participants were significantly more likely to completely miss dangers on the road while they were texting because they were looking directly at the screen.
In addition, they had to spend three times longer trying to compose the text when driving, increasing the dangers of an accident even further.
Dr Reed said: “At motorway speeds, a driver can travel more than one mile whilst completing the text message and the increase in reaction time would result in an increased stopping distance of approximately three car lengths. This could easily make the difference between causing and avoiding an accident or between a fatal and non-fatal collision.”
He added; “In real world traffic situations, it is suggested that poorer control of vehicle speed, lateral position, and increased reaction times in this situation would increase the likelihood of a collision dramatically.”
While reading a text didn’t have such a dramatic impact, it did affect people’s ability to concentrate on the road ahead, but ignored text messages appeared to have a negligible effect on performance.
Confused
When drivers were asked about their views, many were confused about the legality of texting whilst driving. Motorists risk a £60 fine and three penalty points for using their mobile phone – including texting and receiving or making calls – whilst driving).
RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: “The participants in this study were almost unanimous in their view that drink-driving was the most dangerous action on the road. Yet this research clearly shows that a motorist who is texting is significantly more impaired than a motorist at the legal limit for alcohol. No responsible motorist would drink and drive.
“We need to ensure that text devotees understand that texting is one of the most hazardous things that can be done while in charge of a motor car.”