The mobile telephone industry is growing rapidly as user costs decline and cellular networks are introduced in urban areas throughout the U.S. Well over 80,000 mobile phone units are in use in California alone. Industry representatives cite numerous safety benefits associated with mobile phone use and contend that the phones contribute no more of a distraction to drivers than car radios. Mobile phones can lead to more timely reporting of accidents, stalled vehicles, drinking drivers, and other emergency situations. Just as clearly, mobile phones could conceivably create a safety hazard by distracting drivers from the control of their vehicles.

An interactive driving simulator developed by STI was used to investigate the impacts of different types of mobile phone design, use, and mounting locations on driver performance in negotiating a simulated route. Along the route drivers were required to negotiate curves, avoid obstacles, and respond to various road signs. Data on lane position and speed were collected along the routes, making it possible to compare driver performance when no task was required (the baseline case) with performance over similar segments while dialing a phone, receiving a call, or tuning a radio. Seventy-two subjects were segregated by sex, age, and past experience with mobile phone use in analyzing driver performance.

This paper discusses the experimental approach, methods, and conclusions;​ and, with one major exception, supports the industry contentions.