New Study in Texas Shows the Body’s Reaction to Distracted Driving

Posted on by Defensive Driving | in Distracted Driving, Driving and Safety Tips, Driving Distractions

According to a recent study by the University of Houston and Texas A&M University Transportation Institute, when drivers are absent minded, emotional or texting while driving–they found that “drivers’ handling of the wheel became jittery with respect to normal driving.” The jittery steering that resulted in unsafe driving only took place in the case of texting. When driving absent-minded or emotionally charged, the jittery steering resulted in safer driving.

One of the researchers, Ioannis Pavlidis explains, “A likely explanation for this paradox is the function performed by a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC. ACC is known to automatically intervene as an error corrector when there is conflict. In this case, the conflict comes from the cognitive, emotional and sensorimotor, or texting, stressors. This raises the levels of physiological stress, funneling ‘fight or flight’ energy to the driver’s arms, resulting in jittery handling of the steering wheel.”

Furthermore, what makes texting more dangerous than when driving absent minded or emotional? “The driver’s mind can wander and his or her feelings may boil, but a sixth sense keeps a person safe at least in terms of veering off course,” Pavlidis said. “What makes texting so dangerous is that it wreaks havoc into this sixth sense. Self-driving cars may bypass this and other problems, but the moral of the story is that humans have their own auto systems that work wonders, until they break.”

As distracted driving becomes more of an issue, it’s important to know how our body reacts and why higher risk is directly related to distracted driving. For more driving news, tips, advice, stats and facts, check us out on our Facebook page, or take a driving safety course right here on our website.

|

Customer Reviews

Defensivedriving.com has a ShopperApproved rating of 4.6 based on 136118 ratings and reviews.

Trelicia Jones united states
Easy to pay and do course
Cheikh Gakou united states
Easy
Carlos Trejo None, united states
it's awesome!
Taylor Martinez None, united states
it’s a streamlined experience
Julie Lackey None, united states
Easily accessible and user-friendly.
Mohammed Majid Majid None, united states
Useful
George Bruce None, united states
very easy to understand and navigate.
Tamiru Beyene None, united states
Very good
Dylann Vollaro united states
Easy and educational
Daniel Garza None, united states
quick easy amazing
Milena Russom TEXAS, united states
Great website. Easy to use.
triston dockall Texas , united states
Easy to navigate and understand..
Shelby Scanlin united states
The course went well
RICHARD VILLARREAL Texas, united states
Easy to register
Robert Lujan None, united states
Good
Gary Boren None, united states
Easy
Ericka Guerra None, united states
easy peasy
See all reviews on shopperApproved.com
Why DefensiveDriving.com
  • 20 Years in Business
  • Over 2 Million Customers Served
  • Highest Possible Better Business Bureau Rating
  • Award Winning Course