This paper reports a simulator-based study of the effects of mobile phone use on driving performance. Changes in heart rate indicated that mobile phone use increases the cognitive demand experienced by drivers with, it is argued, consequent reduction in safety margins. However, experimental results also suggested that participants engaged in a process of risk compensation, with driving speed being slower at times of mobile phone conversation while the number of off-road excursions (OFFS) and collisions remained stable. There also was some evidence that the use of a hand-held mobile phone (when compared to a hands-free system) was associated with poorer driving performance. Implications for 'real world' driving are considered. (Author/publisher).
Samenvatting