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Brain & Nervous System364 citations

Effect of cellular telephone conversations and other potential interference on reaction time in a braking response.

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Consiglio W, Driscoll P, Witte M, Berg WP. · 2003

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Phone conversations slow emergency braking reactions equally whether using handheld or hands-free devices, suggesting cognitive interference is the real safety risk.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers tested how phone conversations affect reaction time when braking by having 22 participants use a driving simulator under different conditions. They found that talking on either handheld or hands-free phones slowed reaction times compared to no distraction, while listening to music did not. This suggests phone conversations create cognitive interference that could impair driving safety regardless of whether you use your hands.

Why This Matters

This study highlights a crucial safety concern that extends beyond just EMF exposure to the cognitive demands of wireless communication. The finding that hands-free phones impaired reaction time just as much as handheld devices challenges the common assumption that hands-free equals safer. What this means for you is that the act of conversation itself, not just physical phone handling, creates mental interference that could prove dangerous in emergency situations. The science demonstrates that our brains struggle to fully process both driving demands and phone conversations simultaneously, regardless of the phone's design.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

This experiment studied the effect of phone conversations and other potential interference on reaction time (RT) in a braking response.

Using a laboratory station which simulated the foot activity in driving, 22 research participants we...

Results indicated that conversation, whether conducted in-person or via a cellular phone caused RT t...

Cite This Study
Consiglio W, Driscoll P, Witte M, Berg WP. (2003). Effect of cellular telephone conversations and other potential interference on reaction time in a braking response. Accid Anal Prev 35(4):495-500, 2003.
Show BibTeX
@article{w_2003_effect_of_cellular_telephone_1991,
  author = {Consiglio W and Driscoll P and Witte M and Berg WP.},
  title = {Effect of cellular telephone conversations and other potential interference on reaction time in a braking response.},
  year = {2003},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12729813/},
}
PubMed: 12729813

Cited By (364 papers)

View all 364 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2003 driving simulator study found that phone conversations significantly slowed braking reaction times compared to no distraction. Both handheld and hands-free phones created the same cognitive interference, suggesting the conversation itself impairs driving safety regardless of hand use.
No, research by Consiglio and colleagues found no difference in reaction time impairment between handheld and hands-free phone conversations while driving. Both methods equally slowed braking responses, indicating the cognitive distraction from conversation is the primary safety concern, not physical hand use.
No, the 2003 braking response study found that listening to radio music did not slow reaction times during simulated driving. Unlike phone conversations which significantly impaired braking responses, music created no measurable cognitive interference that would affect driving safety.
Phone conversations require active cognitive engagement and response, creating mental interference that slows reaction times. The 2003 study showed conversations significantly impaired braking responses while music listening did not, suggesting interactive communication demands attention resources needed for driving tasks.
Yes, research demonstrates phone conversations create cognitive interference that impairs driving performance. A driving simulator study found both handheld and hands-free phone conversations significantly slowed braking reaction times, indicating conversation demands mental resources needed for safe vehicle operation.