Hands-free dangers
Technology still a distraction for drivers, University of Alberta study says.
While Edmonton police continue to crack down on texting and driving, drivers and carmakers are shifting toward using hands-free technology to make calls while on the road.
But that cellular technology is not as safe as you might think.
A new pilot study conducted by the University of Alberta revealed Friday that drivers using hands-free cellular devices make significant errors, including running red lights, crossing the centre line and speeding.
Yagesh Bhambhani, a U of A professor in the faculty of rehabilitation medicine, and graduate student Mayank Rehani decided to conduct the study in light of the province’s 2011 legislation which banned the use of hand-held cellphones — but not handsfree devices — while driving.
The researchers measured brain activity using infrared spectroscopy technology while 26 participants completed a driving course using a hightech simulator at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
The participants – males between the ages of 18 and 50 – completed the driving course first without any distractions, and again while engaged in a phone conversation.
The researchers said the conversations discussed in the driving test were of a casual nature, and avoided emotionally charged topics.
The results showed that while using the hands-free technology, drivers exhibited a spike in heart rate and increase in brain activity.
But the most concerning result was that 100 per cent of the study’s participants made significant errors while completing the simulation.
While both researchers had anticipated driving mistakes to increase with the use of handsfree technology, they were still surprised by the results.
“The magnitude and severity of the errors is what shocked me,” Rehani said. “There was a crash, a rear-ending, lane changes without signalling, people running red lights and speeding. All very concerning incidents.”
Rehani said this research is crucial today, given that handsfree technology is becoming a standard feature in new cars.
“Carmakers are using the technology, the government is telling me it’s OK, so it must be safe,” Rehani said. “But the study shows that is not necessarily the case.”
Although it is a preliminary study, both researchers hope it will inform policy-makers of the implications of using hands-free technology.
Rehani commended the province’s distracted-driving legislation, but hopes the study results will discourage people from using hands-free technology when it isn’t completely necessary.
“The technology itself is not evil, it is extremely useful,” Rehani said. “But it’s the choice you make, whether to take that call while you are driving. If it is not important, it can wait.”