Drivers Using
Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunk Drivers
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Drivers Using
Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunk Drivers
Most people can rather efficiently walk and
chew gum at the same time, but when it comes
to more complicated "multi-tasking" – like
driving and talking on a cell phone – there
is a price to pay.
Three years after the preliminary results
first were presented at a scientific meeting
and drew wide attention, University of Utah
psychologists have published a study showing
that motorists who talk on handheld or
hands-free cellular phones are as impaired
as drunken drivers.
"We found that people are as impaired when
they drive and talk on a cell phone as they
are when they drive intoxicated at the legal
blood-alcohol limit of 0.08 percent, says
study co-author Frank Drews, an assistant
professor of psychology at the University of
Utah. (The legal blood-alcohol limit in
Costa Rica is 0.75)
There are two dangers associated with
driving and cell phone use, including text
messaging.
First, drivers must take their eyes off the
road while dialing. Second, people can
become so absorbed in their conversations
that their ability to concentrate on the act
of driving is severely impaired,
jeopardizing the safety of vehicle occupants
and pedestrians.
In Costa Rica between 900 and 1.100 drivers
monthly are fined for taking on their
cellular phone. According to to Rocio Gamboa,
director of the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi),
Gamboa refers to studies that conclude that
people can concentrate on only one thing at
a time and a change in focus of attention
reduces reaction time from 33% to 38% and
that 75% of those on cell phones while
driving don't notice pedestrians and
cyclists on the road.
Talking on a cell phone and driving is
sanctioned in Costa Rica under the Ley de
Tránsito.
Drivers, today, face a fine of ¢10.000
colones (us$17.75). However, beginning on
September 23, when the full effect of the
new Ley de Tránsito takes place, th fine
will jump to ¢170.250 (us$301, at today's
exchange rate).
However, article 115 of the Ley de Tránsito
allows for hands free cellular use, which
can be in the way of a fixed in-vehicle
hands free unit, the use of earphone or the
more modern blue tooth earpiece.
Germán Marín, director of the Policía de
Tránsito, assures that between 75 and 115
tickets a day are issued by his officers who
are vigilant of cell phone use by drivers.
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