New York Drivers Drive While Distracted

It's no shock that many drivers aren't totally on the ball when driving, but it turns out that one in three New York drivers multi-task in their cars. According to a Hunter College study (PDF) conducted at 50 intersections in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, of the over 3,000 drivers observed, 23% were talking on a cellphone, 5.7% were smoking, 4.5% were drinking, 3.1% were drinking, and 1.7% were grooming. Time to quote Rihanna: "Shut up and drive!"

Half the cellphone drivers used hands-free devices, which makes driving and chatting on a phone legal, but sociology professor Peter Tuckel told CityRoom, “The most intriguing finding is that individuals who talk on a wireless device are the most likely to engage in grooming, eating, drinking and smoking. They think they’re being safety-conscious, but in fact, individuals driving with a hands-free device are compounding the risk of driving with a cellphone.”

Since Staten Island wasn't included in the study for some reason, the Advance did an informal study that found 34 drivers on a cellphone during a 25-minute period at Hylan Boulevard and New Dorp Lane; only four were using hands free devices.

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By Jen Chung in News on November 14, 2007 5:22 PM

Comments [rss]

galvo

it is illegal for cab drivers to use hands free cell phones while driving in nyc.

JenChungsBaby

These Hunter College kiddies need to better define what is distracting while you drive.

I agree that phones are bad. But you can't take a swig from a Coke while operating a car safely? Gimme a break. What's next, listening to the radio?

JMH

I buy what Emilydickinson said and I'd go one further, even - most people don't have the brain capacity to operate a motor vehicle in New York City, period.

Reality Czech

Really, does it matter? Drivers are stuck in traffic in Mnahattan about 95% of the time.

RoDogg

Is the white girl in the pic talking to her pimp?

mocanlagunas

4.5% Coke and 3.1% Pepsi, maybe?

just saying

#1 LOL

drewo

Those who should be enforcing the laws against cell phone use, the NYPD, is no doubt often guilty of the same offense, as they leave their shifts and drive back to suburbia. While on duty, they're not about to stop other motorists from engaging in the same behavior.

emilydickinson

I hate to say it, but most people don't have the brain capacity to operate a motor vehicle and talk on the phone simultaneously. As a hard core cyclist, who has always lived in the city, never had a drivers license and rides a bike pretty much everywhere, I have to say drivers on mobile phones are my avowed enemies. The simple truth is, when you're driving, and talking on the phone, your ability to observe your surroundings, and react accordingly is diminished. Hardly a day goes past that I don't have some type of incident involving my bike and a car. At least 3/4 of the time, that driver is on the phone (or watching a video in their Escalade which is a whole 'nother problem). I say screw 'em. Short of a real emergency, what phone conversation can't wait until you get where you're going. If it's that pressing, pull over. A fender bender is no big deal. A fender bender between a car and a cyclist or a car and walker can mean death, paralysis, broken bones and severe injuries for the person on the losing end. Hands free or not, driving and phoning should be illegal.