The relatively new science of the human brain and distracted driving seems to be gradually exposing, as myth, the idea that texting and use of cell phones and in-vehicle electronics is not distracting because humans are good at multi-tasking. The reality is that our mental capacity to process situations, including dangerous ones, is a so-called “zero sum game.” When we use electronic devices while driving, we don’t just add a task and do both well, but rather we switch from driving to whatever the distraction is, and as a result, driving attention and skill decrease.
Well, to add to this concern, the article linked below discusses a study, newly published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which among other things notes that one reason teens are more at risk when using cell phones and other electronic devices, in addition to the physical distraction of using the device, is that the still-developing teen brain is even less adept at dividing attention among tasks. In other words, it is not just that teens are culturally more prone to text, but when they do so they are even less able than adults at performing what might be called multi-tasking, which also means they are less able to refocus their attention on the traffic situation when their use of the electronic device is finished.
I will grant that this is a subtle addition to our knowledge of this subject, and it probably does not make a difference in the only sensible advice to parents about teen drivers and electronic devices — zero tolerance. But I think it is always helpful for parents to know all of the aspects of why teens are more crash prone when they use electronic devices. This new study illuminates one more corner of the problem.
Here is the link, which at the end has a link to the Journal study itself (and thanks to my work colleague Ed Parks for sending the article):
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/distracted-driving-bigger-problem-novice-drivers-220755717.html
