Final answer:
Talking on a cell phone while driving may increase your chances of being in a crash by distracting you from the road and slowing your reaction times.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to research, talking on a cell phone while driving may increase your chances of being in a crash by distracting you from the road. One study found that drivers who use cell phones have slower reaction times and are more likely to miss important cues while driving, such as when the car in front of them brakes suddenly. This can lead to more accidents and increase the risk of crashes.
For example, a study conducted by Bayer and Campbell (2012) found that checking our phones while driving can become an ingrained habit or event schema, making it difficult to resist the urge to use our phones even when driving. This constant distraction can significantly impair our ability to focus on the road and react quickly to potential hazards.
To minimize the risk, it is recommended to use hands-free options, keep the phone away from the body, and avoid using a cellphone in a car without an external antenna.