Cell Phone Drivers Get Close Calls Professor, David J. Demko, PhD, gerontologist and editor AgeVenture News Service 05-13-2008
Boomer Zoomers are busy people. They cope with rushed, over-booked schedules by relying on multi-tasking, performing many activities simultaneously. The most popular multi-tasking hot-spot is the driver's seat of your automobile. Drivers steer their car, signal a turn then switch lanes, accelerate and decelerate, observe other drivers' behavior, search the horizon for their exit, glance up at the rear view mirror, listen to the radio, converse with their passengers, apply makeup, shave, and talk on their cell phones. If drive-time multi-tasking ever became an Olympic competition, American drivers would "take home the Gold Medal" hands-down (while were driving). During the entire day, there is no place where we are busier than while driving our cars. There lies the problem. The human brain, like any other computer, has its limits. Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as cognitive overload, too much information to process. Not enough time to make coherent decisions, raising the risk of an accident. Try to caution drivers about this multi-tasking dilemma, and they are quick to response with "It's the other guy who has the problem." In fact, when it comes to recognizing driving hazards, Americans are in denial. As a case in point, have you ever heard the driver of a speeding car say something like "I'm not going to have an accident." Dah, it's called an "accident" because it's unplanned and unexpected. Thanks to an article by columnist, Bruce Bower in the May 10, 2008 issue of SCIENCE NEWS, we now have some HARD evidence for HARD headed drivers who dismiss the hazards of cell phone use while driving. Bower's article appears immediately below.
Readers can find a lot more practical information in each issue of SCIENCE NEWS. Those who have enjoyed SCIENCE NEWS in the past will be pleasantly surprised by several enhancements. The magazine's cover and layout are re-designed to reflect a fresh, contemporary look. The number of pages per issue has increased from 16 to 40 pages. The increasing popularity of science news is driven by two forces. First, Baby Boomers have the highest educational level of any generation before them, so boomers possess a keen sense of intellectual curiosity. Second, Boomers like to live life on their own terms, and what better way to control your destiny than keeping up to date on the practical, life-enhancing applications of science.
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