Gizmodo is pointing to a study that states that drivers who admit to using cell phones while driving are more apt to be distracted even when they are not using their mobile. This seems to indicate that there is some sort of “distracted-driver personality”. Not a big surprise.
When compared to drivers who do not talk on cell phones, drivers who use cell phones are 56% more likely to be distracted behind the wheel while thinking about what to eat; 36% more likely to be distracted thinking about relationship issues; 32% more likely to be distracted when thinking about their jobs; 27% more likely to be distracted when thinking about health concerns; 21% more likely to be distracted when thinking about family issues, and 19% more likely to be distracted when thinking about money issues or bills.
I’m thinking that when asked at least 90% of these people would clasify themselves as “Excellent Multi-taskers”, then be distracted by thoughts of food, relationships or money before you could ask another question.
Previous rant on cellphone usage while driving: Tele-taxi