1. 214-10-17
Using Mobile Phones
While Driving
Effect & Solution
Ahmad Ba-Masq
093
[Type text]

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………..………………..1
I BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………………………………1
A- Using mobile phones……………………………………………………………………….1
B- Using mobile phones while driving………………………………………………….2
II EFFECTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…3
A- Distractions…………………………………………………………………………………….3
1. Forms of distraction…………………………………………………………………3
2. Effect of texting……………………………………………………………………….4
3. Hands-free vs. hand-held? ………………………………………………………4
B- Effect on driving performance………………………………………………………..5
C- Effect on crash risk…………………………………………………………………………5
1. Studies & statistics…………………………………………………………………..6
2. Examples of crash problem size……………………………………………….7
III SOLVING THE PROBLEM………………………………………………………….………………..8
A- Legislation………………………………………………………………………………………8
1. Types and extent…………………………………………….………………………8
2. Public opinion………………………………………………………………………….8
3. Effectiveness……………………………………………………………………………9
B- Public education………………………………………………………………………………9
C- Technological Improvements…………………………………………………………..9
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………………………10
WORK CITED.…………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Cartoons images: www.cartoonstock.com

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 INTRODUCTION
During the last 30 years, mobile telephones have become a major source of
communication and an essential device for many people. Since car telephones that
appeared in the 1980s, the use of hand-held and hands-free devices has rapidly
increased.
Thus, using mobile phones while driving has become a concern in the field of traffic
safety. Now, the vast majority of drivers (60 to 70%) are using their mobile phones
while driving at least sometimes. (3: 16) Moreover, it is estimated that 20-30% of all
road crashes are because of driver distraction and inattention. (3: 9)
The specific purpose of this report is to identify some problems with using cell
phones and effects of that while driving. In addition, the report will discuss the extent
of this phenomenon and will suggest some solutions. I think this report should be of
particular interest to drivers who want to avoid dangerous traffic.
I- Background
A- The Use of Mobile Phones
The mobile has changed people’s lifestyles and ways of communication. It makes
daily communication much easier. Thus, we can communicate with each other
without having to be in a particular place. The trend of increasing ownership of the
mobile phone is clear all over the world. The number of mobile subscribers
worldwide was 1.5 billion in 2004. This number is increasing continually to more than
2.5 billion subscribers in 2009. (3: 13) In Europe, there are 478.4 million mobile
phones in use. That represents 103% of the population! (6: 2)
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B- The Use of Mobile Phones While Driving
At the same time of continuous increase in the number of mobile phone users, the
percentage of drivers using mobile phones in their vehicles has also increased.
At the moment, the majority of drivers (60 to 70%) are using their mobile phones
while driving at least sometimes. Many studies from different places give similar
results and estimate that 1 to 4% of drivers use mobile phones at any given moment
during the day. (3: 11)
The next table shows different studies and surveys taken from different sources:
Country By Found Source
USA Sundeen 2001; 70 to 90% of drivers in the US use their (3: 12)
Lissy et al. mobile phones at least some of the time
USA National At any moment during the day, 6% of (4: 1)
Highway Traffic drivers in 2008 were using hand-held
Safety phones and 11% were using any kind of
Administration phones.
UK Green Flag 78% of high mileage drivers said they (5: 3)
report used a phone while driving, compared (3: 13)
with 37% of all drivers.
Netherlands Barten et al. In 2005, 50% of Dutch drivers stated (6: 2)
2006 they use a mobile phone while driving.
Of these drivers, 75% said never to use a
hand-held mobile phone.
Saudi Self Survey Out of 67 Saudi drivers, 56 (84%) said
Arabia they use a phone while driving; only 3
drivers use free-hand phones.
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II- Effects
A- Distractions
The use of mobile phones in cars is one of many sources of driver distraction which
leads to crashes and injuries. Mobile phone use while driving can distract drivers in
several ways:
 Physically: drivers have to use one or both of their hands to hold the phone,
dial a number, answer or end a call instead of focusing on the tasks required by
driving (e.g. steering, gear changing).
 Visually: distraction caused by moving drivers' eyes from the road and looking
to the mobile phone to use it, especially, when starting and completing calls or
when seeing visual information (e.g. reading SMS). Further, even if drivers’
eyes are focusing on the road, they 'look but do not see'.
 Auditory: drivers move their attention to the sound of the mobile phone or
conversation instead of sounds from the road environment.
 Cognitively: That happens when two mental tasks are happening at the same
time. Instead of focusing on driving, drivers focus on the topic of the phone
conversation. Listening, alone, can reduce activity in the part of the brain
associated with driving by more than a third! (3: 24) (1: 6)
These forms of distraction can cause impairment in driving performance and increase
crash risk.
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2- Effect of texting
Many studies indicate that text messaging
while driving is more distracting than
speaking into a mobile phone. (4:3)
The dangers results from: increase mental
workload, impairment control caused by the
physical distraction, and visual impairment.
When text messaging, drivers spend 400%
more time with their eyes out off the road
than in normal driving! (1: 8)
3- Hands-free vs. hand-held?
Some drivers believe that using hands-free phones
could be much safer. However, the majority of
studies have proven that hands-free phoning does
not have a clear safety advantage compares to
handheld phoning. (3: 4) The driver response to the
events is impaired more than the ability to maintain
driving control. (1: 7) Further, the mobile phone
conversation itself can impair drivers more than
listening to the radio or talking to passengers. (5: 6)
The widely cited New England Journal of Medicine
study by Redelmeier and Tibshirani stated:
"We observed no safety advantage to hands-free as compared to
hand-held telephones … One possibility is that motor vehicle collisions
result from a driver’s limitations with regard to attention rather than
dexterity." (7: 5)
A similar conclusion has been reached by researchers at the University of Utah and
others at the University of South Florida. (7: 5)
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B- Effect on driving performance
What happens when a driver makes a conversation while driving? Many studies
provide a similar answer to this question: using a mobile phone while driving
negatively affects drivers' performance!
The following points are summary of the effects
of mobile phone conversation on driving
performance:
 Slower reactions and more misses: The
phone conversation results in a significant
slow reaction. (3: 38) The probability of
missing important traffic signals is
increased. Another research shows that
reaction of drivers who are using mobile
phone are 30% slower than drunken drivers
and 50% slower than in normal driving
conditions. (1: 7)
 Slower braking reactions: Studies show that braking reaction time is reduced
during an mobile phone conversation by 0.3 to 0.7 seconds; drivers brake
harder (they stop faster) with shorter stopping distances. (1: 7) (3: 38)
 Other risky behavior: Studies have shown that mobile phone users wear their
seatbelt less frequently. It also show that risky behaviors, such as drink-driving
and speeding, are more frequently for mobile phones users. (1: 7)
 "It also impairs: maintenance of lane position, maintenance of appropriate
and predictable speed and maintenance of appropriate following distances
from vehicles in front." (5: 6)
C- Crashes Risk
Experimental evidence shows that using a mobile phone while driving impairs driving
performance in many ways. The next question is: does using a mobile phone while
driving increase accident risk and if so, to what extent?
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1- Studies & statistics
The simple answer of the pervious question is: Yes! Many studies and researches
directly link talking on a mobile phone to increased crash risk. Here are some
collected examples:
Country By Found Source
Australia Institute study Mobile phone users 4 times as likely to (4: 1)
of drivers get into crashes serious enough to injure
(2005) themselves
many Different The estimated increased risk varies from (3: 22)
2 to 9.
USA Redelmeier,D. Statistical analysis indicated that the risk (5: 8)
A., (1997) was 4 times higher.
Taiwan IATSS, Int. Ass. Over 3,000 road accidents occurred (5: 9)
of Traffic and during 4 months period. 676 of them
Safety Sciences (22%) involved drivers who had a mobile
(2000-2001) phone in the car.
Norway Sagberg Using mobile phones increases the (7: 8)
likelihood of being involved in a crash by
about 1.7 times.
As the use of mobile phones is growing so rapidly, it is very likely that they will
become an increasingly common cause of road crashes.
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2- Size of crash problem
The information of the next table show how the size of crash problem is in many
places around the world:
Country By Found
Netherlands SWOV, Institute nearly 600 road deaths and in-patients per year
for Road Safety would be saved if mobile phone use while
Research driving could be abandoned completely
Sweden VTI, Swedish estimated that around 10-20 people die
Road and Traffic annually as a result of using a mobile phone
Res. Ins.
US HCRA, Harvard estimated that use of phones while driving may
Center for Risk cause 2,600 deaths, 330,000 intermediate to
Analysis major injuries, 240,000 minor injuries annually
Source of the above data: (1: 9)
Taiwan IATSS, Int. Ass. of between Aug. 2000 and March 2001, 2,407
Traffic and Safety traffic accidents caused by drivers using mobile
Sciences phones. These resulted in 14 people being
killed and 443 being injured
(5: 9)
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III- Solving the Problem
The mobile phone has become an important part of our everyday life. It is not
realistic to expect people to completely stop using mobile phones in vehicles. There
are many ways and ideas to reduce this phenomenon including: Legislation, public
education and Technological Improvements.
A- Legislation
Many countries around the world have introduced legislation to restrict the use of
mobile phone while driving.
1- Types and extent
• Banning hand-held phones: The use of
hand-held car mobile phone phones
while driving is illegal in over 45
countries around the world.
• Banning of hands-free phones: Safety
organizations have called for a complete
ban on mobile phone use while driving.
In Europe, only Portugal restricts the use
of hands-free mobile phones.
• Bans on texting while driving: Generally in Europe, texting is included in the general
bans use a hand held phone. In the US, texting is specifically banned for all drivers in
10 states. (1: 10-11)
2- Public opinion
Actually, there is a public feeling considering the dangers with mobile phone use
while driving and the need for restricting their use.
In 2001, a US Gallup poll found that 70% of the public supported a ban on handheld
phones use by drivers. (3: 42) Another survey shows that 88% of 1000 UK drivers and
motorcyclists said that using a hand-held mobile phone should be illegal and 45%
said that using any phone, hand-held or hands-free, should be illegal. (5: 2)
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In my own survey on the internet, 38 Saudi drivers (out of 66) support a ban on
handheld phones use while 11 drivers support the ban of using any phone. However,
17 drivers (25%) don't support the ban.
3- Effectiveness
Although some results in US, Finland, and UK shows that the short-term effects of
these laws could be significant and cause 50% reduction, (3: 48) (1: 18) (4:2) the long-
term effects is not very clear. After one year, the level of use could even return to the
same level as before the law. (3: 48) (4: 2)
However, two reports (McCartt & Geary 2004 and Horberry et al. 2001) indicate that
publicity campaigns could increase the effectiveness of legislation. (3: 48)
B- Public education
The public education on highway safety has a history of successes (e.g. campaigns to
combat drunk driving and promote seat belt use and driving within speed limits).
Recently, it has also been recognized that educational effort is necessary to promote
the responsible use of mobile phones while driving.
In the US, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) begun to
introduce information and advices related to using mobile phone while driving. (7: 4)
Last year, in Saudi Arabia and Arabian Gulf countries, there was a campaign has a title
of "Don't call until you arrive".
In addition, some mobile phone providers and cars manufacturers launched
campaigns to increase the awareness of driver distraction risks. (6: 5) For example,
AT&T and Nokia advise their owners (in the manuals) never to talk while driving. (7:4)
C- Technological Improvements
Principle of "technology against technology" can be used here. Technology has the
ability to provide some solutions related to driver distraction problem.
Recently, new technological devices and phone applications are being made to
develop technology through GPS to block mobile use while driving. Some 2011 Ford
vehicles will be supported with a "Do not disturb" button to block incoming calls and
text messages. (2: 2)
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12. Using Mobile Phones While Driving 093
 CONCLUSION
A mobile phone has become one of the most common devices present in cars today,
with more than two thirds of drivers using a mobile phone at least sometimes while
driving. Parallel with these increasing numbers and increased use of mobile phones in
traffic, the concerns about negative effects on traffic safety were also rising.
These negative effects on driving performance are caused by physical, visual,
auditory and cognitive distractions as a result of mobile phone use. In terms of crash
risk, there is agreement that drivers who use mobile phones have a 4 times higher
than drivers who do not.
The following are some recommendations that could better determine and control
the effects of mobile phone use on road safety:
 Continuing enforcement and publicity will needed to increase the efficacy of
legislation.
 Drivers need to be more aware of the dangers of mobile phone use.
 They must be educated about the possible effects of distraction and their
ability to compensate for it.
 Drivers should receive recommendations on how to deal with mobile phones
in their vehicle in case of emergency.
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13. Using Mobile Phones While Driving 093
Works Cited
1. Breen, Jeanne (2009). "Car telephone use and road safety" the European
Commission, June 2009
<http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/pdf/car_telephone_use_and_roa
d_safety.pdf>
2. Copeland, Larry. "Safety-driven software aims to block texting while driving"
USA TODAY. 7/21/2010 <http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2010-07-
21-1Atexting21_ST_N.htm>
3. Dragutinovic, N. & Twisk, D. (2005). "Use of mobile phones while driving –
effects on road safety" SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research -
Leidschendam, the Netherlands, <www.swov.nl/rapport/r-2005-12.pdf>
4. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2010), " Q&As: Cellphones, texting, and
driving" IIHS, January 2010
<http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/cellphones.aspx>,
<http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2010/02/22/2a/2a-2-
cell_phone_driving_q_as-cell_phone.pdf>
5. Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) (2002). The risk of using
a mobile phone while driving.
<www.rospa.com/pdfs/road/mobiles/report.pdf>
6. SWOV (2008). "SWOV Fact sheet: Use of mobile phone while driving " SWOV
Institute for Road Safety Research - Leidschendam, the Netherlands,
<www.swov.nl/rapport/Factsheets/UK/FS_Mobile_phones.pdf>
7. Williams, John (2002). "Cell Phones and Driving" Minnesota House of
Representatives Research, Department October 2002.
<www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/cellphdrvg.pdf>
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