Hands-free mobiles not a safe option, says study

Using a mobile phone with a hands-free mobile decreases driver concentration by over a third, according to a new study on the effects of using hands-free sets such as Bluetooth.

The study, from researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to be reported in an upcoming issue of the journal Brain Research found that simply listening to a sentence without having to respond or press any buttons decreased concentration on driving by 37 per cent.

29 volunteers took part in the test by concentrating on speech while driving along a winding road at a challenging speed in a driving simulator. The study found that common drunk-driver errors such as weaving in and out of lanes were repeated by the volunteers

Listening while driving resulted in lower activity in the parts of the brain associated with spatial sense, navigation and visual information, resulting in a 'significant deterioration in driving accuracy.'

Former studies have suggested that talking on a hands-free set is more dangerous than talking to a passenger, as a passenger in the car will adjust their conversation based on the driving conditions.

'Drivers need to keep not only their hands on the wheel, they also have to keep their brains on the road,' said Marcel Just, a member of the research team.

'Drivers' seats in many vehicles are becoming highly instrumented cockpits and during difficult driving situations they require the undivided attention of the driver's brain.

'The clear implication is that engaging in a demanding conversation could jeopardise judgement and reaction time.'

The penalty for mobile phone offences was raised last February to a £60 fine and three penalty points. Drivers can be prosecuted for using a hands-free set if they are judged not to be in control of their vehicle.

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