Question

Which of the following statements provides the best summary of the research about using a cell phone or a hands-free cell phone and paying attention while driving?

a) Both cell phone types distract equally, leading to reduced attention.
b) Hands-free cell phones are safer than handheld cell phones while driving.
c) Using any cell phone impairs attention and increases the risk of accidents.
d) Hands-free cell phones have no impact on attention during driving.

Answer 1

The best summary of the research on cell phone use while driving is that any form of use impairs attention and raises the risk of accidents. Hands-free devices do not completely eliminate distraction as attention is still divided between conversation and driving tasks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that provides the best summary of the research about using a cell phone or a hands-free cell phone and paying attention while driving is: c) Using any cell phone impairs attention and increases the risk of accidents. This is because the act of conversing on a phone requires cognitive attention, which can detract from the focus needed for driving. Even hands-free devices, which are often thought to be safer, can still present a significant distraction and do not completely mitigate the risk of accidents caused by divided attention.

Reports from Smith (2012) highlight the distractions cell phones create, noting that one in five cell owners say their phone has made it harder to focus on a single task without being distracted. Similarly, studies in the realm of driving safety and cellphone usage (Bayer & Campbell, 2012) have indicated that the mental load of talking while driving impairs drivers' abilities, regardless of whether the cell phone is handheld or hands-free. Therefore, while hands-free cell phones may reduce direct interactions with the device, the risk of divided attention and the potential for unsafe driving conditions still exist.