Such studies are new to research in the behaviors of drivers, and more research is still needed to validate such conclusions.

It is likely that drivers talking on cell phones could slow down traffic, which could mean less gas mileage for cars, which could mean worse environmental conditions (more pollution from exhaust emissions caused by lengthened commutes), which could also mean more accidents, injuries, and deaths on U.S. roads and highways.

Further research will help decide these matters.

This article is based on an article written by Associated Press (AP) science writer Seth Borenstein (http://ap.org/pages/about/pressreleases/pr_030706d.html) and information provided by the University of Utah (http://www.psych.utah.edu/AppliedCognitionLab/)

[Author’s note: Safety is paramount when driving. The prime purpose for drivers is to “drive” while behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle, not to talk on the phone, not to be applying makeup, not to be shaving, not to be reading a book, and not to be using the laptop computer. Over 40,000 people in the United States are killed each year in motorized vehicle accidents—millions of others are injured. Such distractions are a contributor to that statistic.]

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