NHTSA withholds government study exposing cell phone driving dangers

Today, the New York Times posted a story reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) withheld more than 250 pages of research into the risks of driving while operating a cell phone. The 2003 government report was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit pursued by consumer advocacy groups Center for Auto Safety and Public Citizen. (The full report can be accessed here as a pdf.) The Times article exposes that the government learned then of the significant dangers associated with combining telephone use with driving, and it accuses the government of suppressing the findings for political reasons.

The general conclusion from the 2003 NHTSA report:

The experimental data indicates that, with the exception of the consequences of manipulating a wireless communications device, there are negligible differences in safety relevant behavior and performance between using hand-held and hands-free communications devices while driving from the standpoint of cognitive distraction. Specifically, the experiment data reveal observable degradations in driver behavior and performance and changes in risk-taking and decision-making behaviors when using both hand-held and hands-free mobile phones, and the nature of these degradations and changes are symptomatic of the potential safety-related problems.

This summation mirrors those from numerous other studies, which have often related the dangerous distraction of phone use while driving, including texting, to alcohol-induced impairment.

The NHTSA report details the complexities associated with studying the associated risks, from defining what is a distraction, to making real-world measurements. However, the report does provide a “Summary of what we know”:

• The number of cell phone subscribers (and users) in the United States continues to grow, as does the number of drivers using cell phones while driving.
• Use of either hand-held or hands-free phone increases the risk of a crash.
• Data suggests that the use of cell phones per subscriber is increasing (frequency and duration of calls).
• User demographics are related to how, when and where cell phones are used and the magnitude and types of crashes involved.
• Young, novice drivers who also use cell phones or other wireless communication devices are of particular concern.
• Nature of the problem is changing with advances in technology and increased use.
• Context of the driving environment influence the willingness of drivers to use the phone.
• Frequency and duration of use, both while driving and overall, influence the risk of a crash.
• The public is concerned about the safety implications surrounding the use of cellular phones while driving.
• Crash data is incomplete, inaccurate, and difficult to obtain.
• More than half of the States have proposed restrictive legislation.
• A variety of research studies are ongoing.

The recommendation the report has to users:

The driver’s primary responsibility is to operate the vehicle safely. This requires undivided attention and focus on the driving task.

Using wireless communications devices while driving can be distracting and increase the risk of crash and injury. Therefore, NHTSA recommends that drivers not use these devices while driving, except in [an] emergency. This recommendation applies to both hand-held and hands-free devices.

Just this weekend, Consumer Reports Deputy Technical Director David Champion addressed the question “Should cell phone use by drivers be illegal?” in the New York Times.

Also read:
Real cell-phone dangers exposed: Using wireless communication devices while driving
Texting while driving: A dangerous distraction

See Consumer Reports' cell phone and smart phone reviews, as well as reviews of GPS navigators with Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.

—Jeff Bartlett

Comments

[carly]

Seems that was the way of the previous administration, climate change, cellphone use and who knows what else. Corporations 1 public 0.

[powertothepeople]

I can see the results of this profound study and others. Future Headlines:

1) CARS MODIFIED INTO SOUND-PROOF COCKPIT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS: Following the ground-breaking NHTSA study that enlightened us all to the dangers of other occupants speaking to the driver, cars are now currently being modified to include a sound-proof cockpit that only allows sounds from outside the vehicle to enter. The A/C controls and other distractions have been modified to be used only when the car is at a stop. Further, the radio/MP3 has been relocated to the passenger compartment in order to prevent distracting entertainment sounds from reaching the driver. Similarly, the driver will not be able to hear the passengers. Coincidentally, road rage incidents seem to be at an all time high, as well as drivers who fall asleep at the wheel. The NHTSA is working on a new study....

2) CELL PHONES OUTLAWED: The government passed ground-breaking legislation today outlawing the cell phone. "Studies have shown these things are simply too dangerous," Congressman Schmedlap said. "I was talking on my cell phone and I tripped and broke my ankle, so I sued," Stacy Williams said.

OR

3) GOVERNMENT HOLDS PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE/LET'S THEM BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OWN ACTIONS: In an apparent realization that we live in a free society, the government made an astounding turn today and stated that drivers that are stupid enough to let cell phones, radios, other passengers, screaming babies, navigation systems, sun visors, mirrors, or any other distraction prevent them from safe driving are simply making excuses. In a shocking move, the government passed a law that says driving is a priviledge and that they will take the license away from individuals that are repeat traffic offenders in what is called "three strikes and you're out."

Which one do you think we'll see? It's up to us, America. Freedom isn't an entitlement, it's a right that has been earned with blood. With the freedom to drive comes responsibility. Stop, take a moment and think about what this is all taking us to. I know we all have brains. We don't need the news to do our thinking for us. Don't give up your rights if you are responsible. We need to stand up and take them away from those that have squandered them. Enough is enough for cryin' out loud.

[SafetyNerd]

The previous poster is probably a troll, but on the off chance that he/she actually believes talking to a passenger is analogous to talking on the phone, he/she should check out research done at the University of Utah's Applied Cognition Laboratory. They had a study last year that showed talking to a passenger is considerably safer, since the passenger can see the road and react accordingly.

[Bryan]

I'm all for an individuals right to take risks, but not when those risks puts others in harms way. If some 16 year old crashes into a pole because she was distracted by talking on her phone, that's sad for her. If, instead, she swerves into oncoming traffic and kills my wife and kids, should I be glad that she was within her rights?

As the poster above said, driving is a privilege, not a right. We need to make sure people take that privilege seriously, regulating cel phone use while driving doesn't take away anyone's rights, it defines the requirements to use the privilege, the same as outlawing drinking and driving. People are not riding on 2 lb skates, they're in 3-4000 lb steel machines filled with gasoline.

[Rose]

In years gone by, when I noticed someone driving aberrantly, (i.e. slowing down & speeding up repeatedly, drifting within and even out of a lane, not signaling, abrupt, last minute "Oh, my gosh" lane changes/exits, etc) I would assume it was someone senile or drunk. Nowadays, it's invariably someone on a cell phone. Yesterday I nearly went through the windshield, braking for an idiot who ran a stop sign while talking on his cell. He never even flinched; I don't think he even heard my horn.

I'm sick to death of inconsiderate drivers, and cell phone talkers are the worst and the most dangerous. Every one of them thinks he or she is the only one who can drive and phone at the same time, and every one of them is wrong.

[ThomasPaine]

What does it tell us? Someone in government felt it necessary to suppress the information and conclusions in this NHTSA report. It tells us they know for a fact that drivers talking on cell phones, even hands-free cell phones, are killing themselves and others and even with this knowledge the government officials want to preserve and protect this behavior.

Who suppressed this report. A previous poster mentioned the Bush administration, but I heard on the TV news it was members of Congress. If Obama is so great, will he take this new information and make a commitment to make talking on a cell-phone illegal while driving? Does Obama care about our safety. Does Obama care about health care costs? Or will Obama ignore this one?

[anniemcu]

Perhaps it's just that we need to recognize what the distraction is and deal with that.

It is, in part, the physical distraction of effort and attention, trying to push specific buttons on a small, all too often drop-able device, while we should be concentrating on controlling the large, potentially deadly piece of equipment that we fondly call our vehicle. So by all means, yes, quit it! ... in comes 'hands-free technology'! Oooh! There's a suitable, reasonably affordable, and easily utilized remedy. Yay! Problem solved.

If it is, as I suspect, *mostly* that far too many people jump into their vehicles to rush off somewhere without girding their conscious mind for the task, they need to remember that 'deadly potential' is why we have such inconveniences as traffic rules, stop, yield and caution signs, traffic lights, State Troopers, traffic court, and far too many emergency medical events. So, yes, by all means do something about it, but making hands-free telephone use illegal is not going to do that.

Using hands-free telephones, especially voice activated ones, are no more or less distracting than having a conversation with a passenger. The 'remedy' of eliminating communication is ludicrous. Like 'powertothepeople' said, you'd have to also outlaw conversation, radio/music, and every other noise that has the potential to distract a driver.

A driver's first focus, to the exclusion of all else, if and when necessary, is the ability to operate the vehicle safely. That's the point of requiring people to pass a driver's test, obey the traffic laws, act responsibly, or lose their ability to use their automobiles, but don't put ridiculous restrictions on what they can say or think about while they are doing so.

Let your family and friends know that if they call you on your cell phone, their call is *not* more important than your responsibility to operate your vehicle safely. Remind yourself of it every time you slide your rear in that driver's seat.

[anniemcu]

An additional possibility... (enter 'conspiracy theorist' mode)...

Perhaps it's not just the physical distraction that the study uncovered that made 'someone'(s) reluctant to release the results... perhaps all the 'anectdotal evidence', 'old wives tales' and 'urban legends' that express concern about the possible health side-effects of cell phone usage are not so silly and baseless as we'd like to believe. Perhaps we really are poisoning ourselves with this popular (and highly profitable) technology. I can certainly see why 'some' would be reluctant to reveal that.

(exit conspiracy theorist mode)

[Darnell Davis]

It seem to me that some of the posters did not fulling read or comprehend the article. The article states that the NHSTA withheld information about cell phone safety. That withheld information is that both hand held AND hands free cellular devices are EQUALLY distracting. The article then gos on to add that drivers are ultimately responsible for their actions. IT doesn't blame Bush nor does any of the preceding comments blame Bush. It clearly states that hands free IS NOT a solution to the problem because it is the problem and IT does not propose any laws.
One poster found information supporting the NHSTA findings. I to was able to locate those findings so I add this comment cell phone use of any kind while driving whether it be texting, talking, or surfing is dangerous. I concur with an earlier post that said driving is a privilege and the redefining the term of that privilege is the duty of citizen directed government. In short all of those things done on a phone can wait or the person can pull over.