Smartphones more dangerous than drunk driving: study

UK's largest independent road safety charity IAM, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling, has put forward one of the most shocking results in its recent survey on using smartphones while driving.

Close to 3.5 million license holders admitted to the fact that they use their smartphones for e-mails and social networking while on the move. Of these people, 24 percent were drivers in the age bracket of 17-24 year – a group already at higher risk of being in a crash.

Over and above this, each activity on your Android slows down the reaction time required while driving. While texting reduces reaction time by 37.4 percent and hands free by 26.5, alcohol (above UK driving limit but below 100mg per 100ml of blood) slows reaction time by 6-15 percent and alcohol at the legal limit by 12.5 percent.

For their research, the IAM and TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) used DigiCar – TRL's car driving simulator to examine the effects using smartphones.

However, the results of the survey stands true to the Indian context too. According to World Health Organization (WHO) 2011 Global Status Report on Road Safety, India recorded maximum number of road accidents in the planet. Apart from WHO, as per the Indian National Crime Records Bureau at least 14 people die every hour in road accidents caused due to mobile phone usage while driving.

Looking at the fierce numbers, the IAM is calling for government action to highlight the dangers of using smartphones behind the wheel. But is the government action the only thing? Is there no call for action on your side? Let’s get smarter with our smartphones!