More critical thinking skills

[cjsmith]

I've heard mention of a study indicating that it is more distracting to drive with an infant in a car seat than it is to drive using a cell phone. Anyone know more? Please point me to the study.

(I'd love to see one on talking to other people inside the car, too. Actual data, not conjecture or anecdote.)

Comments

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I once changed clothes while driving down a highway; I believe I'm safer on a cellphone than most drivers around me seem to be when alone and not on a cellphone; fifteen years or more ago I mastered eating a McDonald's Big Breakfast (with fork and knife!) in a stick shift; but if I have a baby or a beer, or need to find my map book under the seat, FORGET IT.

I think there should also be an Attention Span portion and an Awareness Of What's Going On Around You portion. I was just telling joedecker the other day that one of the reasons I feel comfortable riding in a car he is driving is that his actions make it clear he knows where all the other cars are. He keeps that in his head and acts accordingly. He chooses different paths than I would choose, but he doesn't do anything wildly inconsistent with other cars' position and speed. At a subconscious level, I keep that mental map even as a passenger, and when the driver acts in disagreement with what I know is out there, I get nervy. Very few drivers pass the CJ-comfort Awareness Test.

Then again, very few humans are aware of what's around them. I still remember the woman who ran over a CAUTION sign with her stroller. Not just didn't see it, not just ignored its warning, but ran over it. I bet she has a driver's license. I bet she'd look down her nose at me if I used a phone. If SHE can't drive safely while on the phone, obviously no one can, right?