How is talking on a cellphone during driving different from talking to a passenger?

Question

I know using your cellphone while driving is dangerous, but why is it different from talking to one of your passengers?

Aren't you talking either way? I always hear the warnings against cellphone usage, but never against conversing with another person in the car.

Just wondering =)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Folks on a cellphone tend to concentrate on the conversation more,   and are less likely to look around (especially those without a hands-free device) ,   to hear other inputs (horns or sirens),   and have a hand tied up not available to use to operate their vehicle (hands-free again).

Answer 2

It used to be incorrectly believed to be because of using one hand to hold the telephone.  Later research should that driving while talking on a hands-free phone was just as dangerous.

The new theory is that a passenger who sees heavy traffic or other dangerous situations ahead stops talking to let the driver concentrate, while a telephone caller cannot see what is in front of the car, and continues to talk, so the driver continues to listen, and crashes.

Answer 3

Clearly the use of a mobile phone while driving can be a distraction to drivers, but labeling it the only distraction is incorrect because it is just the same as talking to passengers while driving, or fiddling with the radio, or drinking coffee.

Answer 4

In any event, you must pay attention to your driving for  your safety and the others in your vehicle and the safety of other drivers.   Remember the saying:  "Safety: it's your first call."  When you're talking on a cellphone to one person, all the audio is going directly into your ear and nowhere else.   You  really have to concentrate on what the person is saying, and so, right away, you are trying to operate a 2000 pound vehicle and talk to someone on the phone.  Have you ever noticed that you can't really look around at "the whole picture" while you're driving and talking on the phone?   There's only so much you can do while you're driving.   As to talking to other persons in the car, if you need to concentrate and you must keep your eyes on the road,  you can just stop talking if you need to.  If there's too much commotion in the car, you can't drive safely, anyway.   Drivers don't need a lot of distractions in the car.   Texas has a law about teen drivers  and having other people  in the car for just that reason.

Answer 5

you can see a passenger, and read his body language.   on a phone, you have to concentrate more to try to get that missing info.  it's a distraction from  your main task- driving- that most can't handle safely.

I won't let my passengers talk with me 'cos I can't do 2 things at once.

Answer 6

The biggest difference between the two is that it easier to convince people that cellphones are dangerous, versus the danger of talking to an actual person. It's all about what you can get the public to believe and support.