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While I'm not at all surprised by the results of the study reported in this article with regard to how badly distracted drivers are while on the cell phone, even hands-free, I am a bit surprised it was so much different from having a chatty passenger in the car. I would have thought a passenger would also be a major distraction similar to a cell phone conversation. But, there seems to be a reasonable explanation too.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/smart_phones/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212201254
"Cell phone and passenger conversation differ in their impact on a driver's performance," stated the paper released by the researchers. "These differences are apparent at the operational, tactical, and strategic levels of performance." The study was published in the Journal Of Experimental Psychology.
So, why did drivers with talkative passengers appear to be safer?
One reason suggested by the researchers was that chatting passengers may actually support drivers by talking about surrounding traffic in a way that helps driver awareness.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/smart_phones/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212201254
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