Friday, August 24, 2001

Distractions can occur regardless of hands-free set
By Elise Rambaud
associate campus editor

While talking on a cell phone and reaching for a piece of paper, Sarah Kirschberg, a junior fashion promotion major, was only momentarily distracted from the road. In seconds, Kirschberg’s vehicle was totaled.

Kirschberg said since her accident she is in favor of legislation restricting hand-held cell phones in vehicles.

“I would feel safer on the road if I knew that other people had fewer distractions,” Kirschberg said.

J. Kent Ladewig/Skiff staff Angela Nolen, a senior biology major, is momentarily distracted by her cell phone as she backs out of a campus parking spot.

According to a study conducted by the University of Utah, driver distractions from cell phones can occur regardless of whether hand-held or hands-free cell phones are used. Cell phone conversations create higher levels of distractions than listening to the radio or audio books, the study cited.

The research participants were assigned various distracting tasks while driving such as changing radio stations, listening to audio books, and engaging in hand-held and hands-free cell phone conversations.

When asked to perform simple driving tasks such as braking for traffic lights, subjects who were talking on hand-held and hands-free cell phones both had significantly slower response times. There was no noticeable difference in the response times between those who used hand-held or hands-free devices.

Fort Worth-area drivers, police officials and cell phone accessory merchants have conflicting views on the extent to which cell phones contribute to driver distractions and the impact of hands-free devices would have on the situation.

Senior anthropology major Marjie Bruchez said she refuses to talk on her cell phone while she drives.

“People who talk on cell phones while driving cause accidents,” Bruchez said. “Hands-free sets should be mandatory.”

Angela Nolen, a senior biology major said drivers able to master multitask driving should not be required to buy hands-free devices.

“I can eat, talk on the phone and drive a standard car at the same time,” Nolen said. “I do not feel compelled to purchase anything that I do not need.”

Though the necessity of hands-free cell phone devices is still being debated by the public, area cell phone distributors are noticing increased sales of hands-free accessories.

Erik Jackson, a Radio Shack sales associate at 2900 W. Berry St., said Radio Shack’s stock went up after recent New York legislation passed, which restricts cell phone use while driving.

“Sales of hands-free accessories have increased dramatically over the last two months,” Jackson said, “We’ve had to restock the hands-free section about twice a week.”

James Newsom, insurance manager at Car Toys, 5930 Overton Ridge, said he has also noticed an increase in hands-free set sales.

“Customers seem to have been more motivated by safety and convenience than the possibility of it becoming required by law,” Newsom said.

Elise Rambaud
e.j.rambaud@student.tcu.edu