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1.  

   different issue

   

   sbdwestpac, Aug 6th, 2003 @ 12:44pm

   
   

   This reminds me of a study showing how sleep deprivation affects drivers that one of the tabloid shows (20/20?) showed a year or so ago. They showed how the drivers rammed into objects and ran over traffic cones like crazy while sleepy, but what they didn't show was how the same drivers performed before the sleep deprivation, i.e. obtained a baseline. Some of the obstacles included a deer cutout that popped up in the road several feet in front of the car and a car cutout that suddenly pulled in front of the car, simulating a car running a red light. All of the drivers hit both items, but in both cases it was obvious that even an alert driver would have had a difficult time stopping or avoiding the object because both situations were unrealistic. By failing to show how the drivers reacted while alert the whole study was pointless.
   
   As to the study, it only takes a second to change the radio station or turn the A/C on, but it takes longer than that to pick up a cell phone and answer it. Talking on any phone requires more concentration than normal conversation simply because it's harder to hear.

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2.  

   Driving for miles 20mph below speed

   

   Munich, Aug 6th, 2003 @ 2:21pm

   
   

   And changing the radio or air conditioner never caused anyone to drive 20mph slower than the rest of traffic in the left lane for 10 miles. I see that and weaving while on the cell phone ALL THE TIME.

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