Wireless

摘要

A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that mental distractions exist forndrivers even when they use a hands-free device and the voice-to-text feature of cellphones while behindnthe wheel. “The research found that as mental workload and distractions increase, reaction time slows,nbrain function is compromised, drivers scan the road less and miss visual cues, potentially resulting inndrivers not seeing items right in front of them including stop signs and pedestrians,” AAA said (http:/bit.ly/11fV6xh). “This landmark study is eye-opening and sobering,” said Lon Anderson, AAA Mid-nAtlantic’s managing director-public and government affairs. “It proves that hands-free is not a safetyn‘silver bullet’ and that talking on a cellphone while driving is dangerous, no matter whether hand-held ornhands-free. The evidence is in. The issue here is taking your mind off the road while driving as much asntaking your eyes off the road, and both are always dangerous.” CTIA respects the AAA study, said spokesman John Walls. “Since 1999 when we launched our first public outreach to today’s ‘It Can Wait’nanti-texting campaign that’s supported by four of the major wireless carriers, the industry is proactivelynincreasing driver awareness on the dangers of unsafe behavior,” he said. “We hope that future studies onnthis matter will assess the full range of activities and potential distractions, such as eating, drowsiness, personalngrooming and reaching for moving objects, to better understand the scope of the situation and to developntechnology to enhance the safe driving experience.”