The Effect of Hands-Free Cellular Telephone Conversation Complexity on Choice Response Time in a Detection Task

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study addressing the effect of hands-free cellular phone conversation complexity on choice response time in a detection task. The study utilized an open-loop simulation technique to study four different levels of the secondary task of using a hands-free cellular telephone and their effect on the primary task of responding to stimuli presented through a driving scene. Results from the study showed that the inclusion of the secondary task had a significant effect on choice response time. Also, choice response time associated with complex conversations involving visual scanning was found to be significantly different from that when the phone was not used. The implications of the use of hands-free phones are also discussed.

Real‐World Personal Conversations Using a Hands‐Free Embedded Wireless Device While Driving: Effect on Airbag‐Deployment Crash Rates

“…Our results are not consistent with results from a number of laboratory and closed‐road experimental studies ( 4,6–13 ) involving portable cell phones, but are consistent with other real‐world studies finding a crash risk near normal baseline driving for hand‐held portable phones. ( 17,26,27,30 ) Reasons for differences between real‐world and laboratory simulator results have received limited scientific investigation.…”

“…Some studies suggest that conversing on a hands‐free phone while driving may increase mental workload, ( 3–5 ) and decrease various aspects of driver performance. ( 4,6–13 ) Other studies ( 14,15 ) have reached a different conclusion, finding that driving performance during simple conversations or voice communications was equal or superior to baseline driving performance. These previous studies, however, were conducted either in a laboratory, a driving simulator, or on a test track, and were not validated using real‐world driving data.…”

Distraction in road traffic: How Czech media covers the issue

“…The media coverage analysis shows that crash causation reports mentioned phone calls most frequently. Phone calls are also frequently studied by simulated and naturalistic driving studies [ [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] ], although these studies face validity limitations [ 11 ] because the simulation of a real phone call environment is controversial due to the related emotional state and the unique individual conditions that create different levels of engagement within the conversation.…”

Performance in Takeover and Characteristics of Non-driving Related Tasks during Highly Automated Driving in Younger and Older Drivers

“…Decades of research on driver distraction suggests detrimental effects of distraction on driving performance (for a review, see Young, Regan & Hammer, 2007). Involvement in conversation, mobile phone use (hand-held and hands-free), and electronic route guidance systems impairs attention (Mazzae et al, 2004;Spence et al, 2013;Strayer et al, 2003;Tijerina et al, 2000; for a review see Young & Regan, 2007) and subsequently lead to poorer driving performance (Al-Tarawneh et al, 2004;McKnight & McKnight, 1993). With higher levels of automation implemented in vehicles, drivers are less involved in the driving task (e.g., longitudinal and lateral controls), and thus may increase their engagement in non-driving-related tasks (Carsten, et al, 2012;Merat et al, 2014;Saxby et al, 2013).…”