Nationwide, distracted driving car accidents injured 421,000 people and killed an additional 3,328 people in 2013, according to. Researchers believe that if technological improvements are made, the devices will be much safer for drivers to use. The study also found that many of the devices tested had flaws and were prone to errors in certain areas. The results indicated that as the voice-activated devices made more errors, the drivers’ level of cognitive distraction increased. Equipment in the vehicles measured the drivers’ heart rates, and the subjects were asked to describe their level of distraction while driving. Subjects in the study were asked to perform a serious of tasks, including changing the radio station, calling a contact and engaging in a conversation using voice-activated technology. A study released by AAA showed that voice-activated technology can also be distractive to motorists. Hands free cellphones are not the only source of cognitive distraction. Cognitive distractions also decrease drivers’ response time to hazards, inclement weather conditions, traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. While drivers are focused on a conversation, their awareness for what is going on in their driving environment is reduced by approximately 50 percent. Rather than concentrate on both tasks simultaneously, the brain bounces back and forth between the two activities. The National Safety Council explains how the brain cannot multitask, or successfully complete several tasks at the same time. Even though hands free cellular devices allow people to conduct a conversation while keeping their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, the cellphones still remove the motorists’ focus off of driving. Cognitive distractionĬognitive distractions are activities that divert a motorist’s attention away from the road ahead, according to. Due to these distractions, New Jersey motorists are at risk of being involved in distracted driver accidents. New studies show that even while drivers are permitted to use these devices, they present a significant source of cognitive distraction. All other motorists are still able to use hands free cellphones and voice-activated technology without threat of legal recourse. However, only bus and novice drivers are banned from using hands free devices while behind the wheel. New Jersey motorists are prohibited from talking or texting on hand-held mobile devices while driving. Although it is illegal to talk or text on hand-held cellphones in New Jersey, hands free devices are allowed and create cognitive distraction.Īlthough New Jersey has some of the strictest cellphone laws in the nation, motorists continue to drive while distracted.
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