Study says: talking & eating worse than cell phones

[no1_vern]

This report Says that a Study by AAA finds talking, eating more distracting to drivers than phones.

Important excerpt:

In the first study to use in-car video cameras to record driving habits, a research group funded by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found Wednesday that every one of the 70 motorists it recorded was distracted at some point. On average, drivers drove distracted 16 percent of the time.

[daveleau]

I could see eating being more distracting, but it doesn't happen nearly as often as talking on cell phones. In the past 2 weeks, I've had to lock up my brakes because I've almost been hit 3 times. All 3 were people were driving erratically and were oblivious because they didn't hang up and drive.

[CraigK]

16% of the time?So what!!! Everyone gets distracted a little when driving. I'm surprised they didn't check who had the stereo on at the same time.

[no1_vern]

Hey Craig, that was ON AVERAGE!! Some drivers were distracted 40% of the time they were driving!

More figures: Ninety-seven percent of them were reaching or leaning. Ninety-one percent fiddled with the radio. Seventy-seven percent of drivers were eating or drinking. And 71 percent chatted with someone in the car.

Babies distracted drivers an average of 8.4 times per hour,compared with 1.1 times for adult passengers.

If you smoke, apply makeup, or even adjust the dials of your car's air conditioning system while you drive, chances are you'd be considered a distracted driver.

[CraigK]

i wasn't attacking you man. sorry if i came across that way. but i just get annoyed when "scientists" waste time on stupid little surveys. there are better things they can be doing with their time and funding.

[Knothead]

Well, I think your car is the most dangerous restaurant in the world. I've been guilty of eating while driving, though. But it IS stupid, I know.

Talking? Depends on who is in the car with you. There are certain women I will not share a car with, whether driving or being a passenger. Honestly, I've never had a problem of being distracted by talking with guys while driving. Guys just know not to mess with the driver's head...

I just got my first cell phone, and as novel as talking on it while driving can be, my motto is definitely: drive now, talk later!

That's my angle on this, and I'm sticking with it.


my car insurance bill is under $500/year. I'm sticking with that, too!