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Study: Hands-free phones not safer
By CNN
23/06/2003
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Reuters) -- Talking on a mobile phone while driving your car is just as dangerous when using hands-free equipment as when holding the phone in your hand, according to a Swedish study published on Monday.
The National Road Administration (SNRA) tested 48 people in driving simulators, dividing them into two groups -- one with and the other without hands-free mobile phone devices.
The drivers in both groups received about 10 phone calls each during 1.5 hours of simulated driving in different conditions. The test revealed almost no difference in reaction time between the two groups.
"It is the distraction of the phone conversation that is the problem," said Ingemar Skogo, the SNRA director general.
Millions use hands-free phones
Many European Union countries, though not Sweden, and some U.S. states ban talking on mobile phones while driving, because it has been proven to cause accidents.
But laws often permit hands-free gadgets with headphones or loudspeakers, and millions of cell phone users have installed such devices.
The Swedish findings were in line with a recent report in the Psychological Science journal, which suggested hands-free technology may not reduce the risk of accidents because a driver's attention, rather than problems with physically handling a cell phone, is a more important factor in safe driving.
The SNRA, which carried out its study at the request of the Swedish government, said it would not recommend a law against talking on your mobile phone while driving.
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