Themed 'Content for Good,' the event will take place from January 11 to 13, 2025
The “Mobile Handset vs Handsfree Study” in Dubai was carried out at the Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) recently under the supervision of the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Andrea Akehurst, Director of Operations, RoSPA, UAE, told a Press conference at EDI yesterday that the study was conducted on 10 willing participants from a cross section of the society. “On a scale of 100 per cent, the alertness of drivers while using mobile phones was reduced by 30 to 50 per cent,” she said.
Akehurst pointed out that only half of the participants managed to have a decent conversation while talking on the phone. And only 50 per cent of the participants were alert to the obstructions put across to them as part of the test.
She said other RoSPA studies had revealed that a majority of the calls taken by drivers on a mobile are intense, complex, business-related and distracting.
Clinical and forensic psychologist Dr Raymond H Hamden of the Human Relations Institute at Dubai’s Knowledge Village said psychologists had established that drivers under stress were more likely to meet with accidents as stress levels increase during phone conversations.
“Previous research in other countries has shown that using mobile phones while driving increases blood pressure and heart rate. Driving causes anger and frustration. Therefore, mixing driving with a mobile may cause adrenaline levels to vary,” explained Dr Hamden.
Among those who took part in the study was rally champion Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE. He said: “Driving in the UAE is dangerous enough due to the high-speed roads. Talking on the phone while driving adds to the risk.”
Amer Ahmed Belhasa, Managing Director of Emirates Driving Institute said: “Studies such as these are an excellent way of driving home the message that it’s the responsibility of all citizens to help make our roads accident free.”
Themed 'Content for Good,' the event will take place from January 11 to 13, 2025
New school snack range sidesteps sugar’s impact on student mood and ability to focus
The mission said that the caller will try to extort money on the pretext of solving some non-existent immigration matter
The plight of Sudan, and El-Fasher in particular, has been under discussion this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York
Hotel occupancy rates in the emirate held steady at 66 per cent
Several bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries
Casa Milano is once again at the forefront of promoting creativity, collaboration, and competition through this iconic event
The annual global ranking is a testament to the rapid advancements in medical technology and the increasing reliance on telehealth services