For Vast Majority, Driving and Cell Phones Don't Mix

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The only way to get rid of this problem is automation of vehicles and roads. I'm working on this kind of system. How would you like to get in your vehicle and it will drive for you? It will ask you "where do you want to go?" You will say, for example, "Detroit Michigan" Then, the vehicle will say, "please say the street name" You'll say, for example, "Woodward Avenue" Then, it will say, "please say the address." You'll say, for example, "156." It will tell you how long the trip will take and it will take you there, safely, and take you the fastest way there, too. You'll be able to talk on the phone, text, take a nap, eat fast food, whatever you want to do. If testing goes well, these vehicles will be here in 2015!

Harry of MI 1:37PM April 01, 2010

Whereas many people might not like this, the article CLEARLY points out that the reaction times of people was what is measured here... so basically, most people doing things at the same time will SLOW DOWN REACTIONS, which could mean the difference of accident versus no accident. The "supertaskers" had no loss in reaction time, which the study points on it is rare.
The research size was 200 people, which is a pretty decent size in terms of a study... That means there were only about 5 people out of these 200 who were not affected by multitasking.
In other words, most people cannot multitask AND react as fast...
However, this could be faulty study depending on how it was done.
It would be nice for the author to post a link to the study results so readers can see it for themselves...

Daniel of NY 12:35PM March 31, 2010

A lot of people have problems driving while not talking on the phone much less talking on the cell and driving at the same time. While I have no problems delivering pizzas while talking on a cell smoking a cig and manually shifting the car.

jason of PA 11:57AM March 31, 2010

I'm sooooo sick and tired of the Nanny state! Seriously, how many drivers are working out calculus while talking on the phone? It may come as a shock to those who think all people are stupid, but when it comes to using our brains, we will devote more to the driving than the talking. If treated in a balanced fashion, most people are perfectly capable of talking and driving. If not, we'd better get rid of passenger seats pronto! Oh, wait, that will reduce carpooling, and that will increase global warming, and ooooh, the liberal head aches! of course, we will have to get rid of the stereos in the cars as well, since all studys show that the car radio is just as distracting as the phone. Then we won't be able to listen to conervative "hate" radio in the car either.
Maybe we should all just walk everywhere. After all, a walking population is easier to control.

John Keitz of NV 11:34AM March 31, 2010