November 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) A study recently published in the trade journal "Computers in Human Behavior" indicates that multi-tasking in any form causes a significant decrease in performance of both visual and audio tasks. The research, led by Zheng Wang, Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University School of Communication, shows that performing more than one visual or audio task at a time causes a marked decrease in each of these skills.
This has obvious real-world implications. Many people think that having a chat on their cellphone while behind the wheel is a good way to pass the time. They assume that they can both fully engage in a conversation with their boss/husband/co-worker/best friend and safely drive a vehicle. Unfortunately, that isn't the case.
Wang's research, recently published in the trade journal "Computers in Human Behavior," shows that people who concentrated on a single visual-based task completed that task with far better accuracy and skill than those whose attention was split between a visual task (like driving a car) and an audio one (like having a spirited conversation).
Those study participants saddled with two visual tasks (like driving a car and sending or reading a text message) showed the lowest performance rates of any study variable group, yet they rated themselves as performing at a much higher level than they did in reality. This misperception is key to understanding the sheer volume of motorists who continue to text while driving: they think they are performing both tasks much better than they actually are, leaving other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists in harm's way.
In spite of the fact that nearly every state has now banned text messaging while driving (some only ban young drivers or commercial vehicle operators), and the federal government has done the same thing with its own staff, it happens thousands - possibly even millions - of times a day. When people text and drive, accidents happen. And when accidents happen, innocent victims are hurt. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a texting or emailing driver, seek the advice of a skilled personal injury attorney in your area to find out more about your legal options.
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Talking or Texting While Driving: Both Are Dangerous, Says Research
Texting and driving is a dangerous activity that distracts a motorist from focusing on the road. Accidents happen when drivers are distracted; however, people continue to engage in this practice.
2012-11-01
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[Press-News.org] Talking or Texting While Driving: Both Are Dangerous, Says ResearchTexting and driving is a dangerous activity that distracts a motorist from focusing on the road. Accidents happen when drivers are distracted; however, people continue to engage in this practice.