Cell Phone Conversation while Driving

Introduction

This article presents an in-depth review of studies on the conversational aspect of cell-phone use while operating a motor vehicle. Here, a cell phone refers to any mobile device used to answer and initiate calls as well to send and receive texts, which includes smartphones (e.g., iPhone, Blackberry). Conversation denotes any length of talking on a cell phone. Driving indicates operating any type of motor vehicle on the road, including stopping at a red light.

Engaging in a cell phone conversation while operating a vehicle has become a public safety concern and a social problem. Research has indicated that talking on a cell phone while operating a vehicle produces a four-fold increase in the risk of involvement in a collision compared to when not talking on a cell phone (McEvoy et al., 2005). Studies report that the risks of using hands-free cell phones can be as great as using hand-held ones, because regardless of the phone type cell-phone use while driving decreases people’s driving performance and increases the likelihood of involvement in an accident (Amado & Ulupinar, 2005; Caird, Willness, Steel, & Scialfa, 2008; Collet, Guillot, & Petit, 2010a, 2010b; Dragutinovic & Twisk 2005; Hendrick & Switzer, 2007; Ishigami & Klein, 2009; McEvoy et al., 2005; Törnros & Bolling, 2005; Zhao et al., 2013). This means that using either a hands-free or a hand-held cell phone can cause drivers failing to notice pedestrians or other vehicles in their vicinity, or missing traffic signals and lanes, resulting in traffic collisions (Nurullah, Thomas, & Vakilian, 2013).