An Investigation of the Safety Implications of Wireless Communications in Vehicle

The impact of cellular telephone use on driver performance was tested using an interactive driving simulator. While drivers followed a 15-mile route containing curves, obstacles and signs, they sent and received mobile calls and tuned a radio. Type of cellular telephone varied (i.e., manual dialing/ hand-held: memory dialing/hands-free; or voiceactivated/hand-held), as did cellular telephone mounting location (dash or center console). Performance was compared between driver age groups, genders, and driving conditions, i.e., baseline driving, mobile phoning while driving, and radio tuning. Results suggest that manual dialing leads to driver performance that is worse than radio tuning; that performance deficits related to a secondary task increase with drivers’ age; and that cellular telephones that are mounted within the driver’s peripheral vision may reduce accident exposure compared to cab locations that are beyond peripheral vision. 200 An Investigation of the Safety Implications of Wirelss Communications In Vehicles Drory, A. (1985). Effects of rest and secondary task on simulated truck-driving task performance. Human Factors, 27(2), 201-207. Type of Study: Driving simulator.