Hands-free mobile phone conversation impairs the peripheral visual system to an extent comparable to an alcohol level of 4-5 g 100 ml.
Langer P, Holzner B, Magnet W, Kopp M. · 2005
View Original AbstractHands-free phone conversations impair peripheral vision as much as low-level alcohol consumption, challenging assumptions about 'safe' mobile phone use while driving.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested how hands-free mobile phone conversations affect drivers' peripheral vision by comparing 60 people's reaction times to visual stimuli at the edge of their field of view. They found that talking on a hands-free phone while driving impaired peripheral vision to the same degree as having a blood alcohol level of 4-5 grams per 100ml (roughly equivalent to 1-2 drinks). This suggests that even hands-free phone use creates significant cognitive distraction that compromises visual awareness while driving.
Why This Matters
This research reveals a critical safety issue that challenges the common assumption that hands-free phone use is safe while driving. The study demonstrates that the cognitive load of maintaining a phone conversation - regardless of whether you're physically holding the device - creates measurable impairment in your peripheral vision system. What makes this finding particularly concerning is that peripheral vision is essential for detecting hazards, pedestrians, and other vehicles approaching from the sides. The comparison to alcohol impairment provides a stark reference point that most people can understand. While this study doesn't directly measure EMF exposure levels, it highlights how our increasing dependence on mobile communication technology creates new forms of risk that weren't present just decades ago. The reality is that as we integrate these devices more deeply into activities like driving, we're discovering unintended consequences that affect our basic sensory and cognitive functions.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
Two situations that might reduce a driver's visual field are driving under the influence of low-dose alcohol and holding a conversation while driving. The study attempted to investigate the effects of both of these situations on the peripheral visual system and also investigated possible interactions with driving ability.
The peripheral vision reaction time of 60 persons was measured using the peripheral vision test by S...
The difference between the control group with greater driving experience and the conversation group ...
Show BibTeX
@article{p_2005_handsfree_mobile_phone_conversation_2339,
author = {Langer P and Holzner B and Magnet W and Kopp M.},
title = {Hands-free mobile phone conversation impairs the peripheral visual system to an extent comparable to an alcohol level of 4-5 g 100 ml.},
year = {2005},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8115273_Hands-free_mobile_phone_conversation_impairs_the_peripheral_visual_system_to_an_extent_comparable_to_an_alcohol_level_of_4-5_g_100_ml},
}