CDI = Cellphone Driving Idiot
DUI = Driving while intoxicated
So who is worse the drinker or the cell phone talker while driving? Well my money is on the drinker. Well MaximumPC did a totally un-scientific test to find out and its really kinda funny
Items needed in test:
Office drinker to step up and take the test
cell phone
bottle of Vodka
breathalyzer
stop watch
go kart and track
So what they did was do first a normal lap to recored how he was
Average lap time: 1:05
General observations: Subject is having a good time, really enjoys competing with self and other Mobile PC staff members to improve time. Subject indeed experiencing "great family fun†as promised by Malibu Grand Prix (MGP) signage.
Now the cell phone test
Average lap time: 1:14
General observations: Due to strict helmet regulations at MGP, subject is forced to use speakerphone, which he holds in one hand. Driving is erratic, a little jerky due to one-handed driving, and very, very slow. Subject reports the phone is "very distracting†as he obliviously plows through the grass on the course.
no cell but 2 shots later
Average lap time: 1:04
General observations: Subject is driving well
but skidding frequently as he seeks to improve his time; he's driving faster than during predrinking trials. Otherwise, quality of laps is similar to fully sober quality.
no cell 4 shots later (ok seriously at this point I would be passed out on the ground)
Average lap time: 1:05
General observations: Mobile PC photographer Samantha Berg notes that she would have passed out after four shots, but subject is going strong. "I'm feeling it a bit,†reports subject, as he spills some on himself. Car is fishtailing and nearly stalls once, but speed is still consistent. Driving quality is clearly on the downswing.
no cell 6 shots later
Average lap time: 1:06
General observations: Subject is now legally drunk in California and is slowing slightly. Seems unsure on straightaways and hits his first cone. Car is fishtailing wildly. Subject's time is beaten by the girl who follows him. This generates severe anger in the subject, which is manifest by an argument with a snack machine.
no cell 8 shots later
Average lap time: 0:59
General observations: In an effort to best the times of the girl (see trial 5), subject has thrown caution to the wind. Subject is now running over cones — before he even leaves the pit area. Car jerks wildly over the course, but subject is achieving record times.
no cell 10 shots later
Average lap time: 1:05
General observations: Subject has drunk enough vodka to kill Rasputin. Subject has now left the car and is chatting with the girl from trial 5 about our secret experiment that he's not supposed to be talking about. Girl's boyfriend appears unamused. Very surly subject is finally wrestled back into a car, but sits at the starting gate for nearly five seconds after green light is given. Still makes good time, considering reactions are now pathetically slow. Vaguely drooling, subject now appears to be running down cones on purpose and with a perverse glee.
With cell phone now and 12 shots
Average lap time: 1:05
General observations: Out of curiosity, severely drunken subject is outfitted with a hands-free headset. Subject continues to skid and hit cones, but not as many as in previous trials. Subject reports that talking on phone helps him concentrate, considering the severity of his condition. After final lap, subject verbally threatens team after vodka runs out and demands to be "taken immediately to an IHOP,†ending the experiment.
You can read the story here on MaximumPC to get the breathalyzer tests also
So who is a cell phone driver? Does this study change your mind at all?
yeah see here in FL its not illegal to talk on the phone and drive (yet). I admit I do it all the time and I've never come close to a accident. Now I do draw the line at texting while driving or reading texts while driving (unless I'm sitting at a red light then I may peak).
I think its hard to tell on this test since the guy had to wear a helmet and lets face it a go kart isn't a car but I found this test funny.
love this picture of him at the end after 12 shots:
~karma: i'm countin on it~
Karma, it works every time!
Very interesting!
I am, though i found my earpiece yesterday and may start using it. I think this may sound like a stupid comment but some people just cannot multitask. you know what i'm talking about...even changing the radio station is a tricky ordeal for some people. (no offense!) when i'm talking on my cell i'm looking at the road. if it ever becomes an emotional subject i will say hold on and pull off to park somewhere and talk. maybe i'm just practiced at it so it's not a big deal? i listen to talk radio ALL the time in the car and talk back to it or i have kiddo in the car and am talking with him, so i always have someone talking to me in the car.
the only times i've gotten close to an accident was kiddo in the back trying to show me something (ugh) *screech* okay! mommy canNOT look right now!
~karma: i'm countin on it~