Duh! - New Safety Study Shows 71% of Drivers Steer More Accurately When Using a Headset With Their Mobile Phones

Study Is First in Series of Driving Impairment Tests from Plantronics; Research is Part of an Overall Initiative Aimed at Greater Customer Understanding

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Aug. 2 -- A new study that measured the physical impairment drivers experienced while using a mobile phone found that reaction time, accuracy and consistency of speed improved significantly when a headset was used with the phone. The study, commissioned by Plantronics , used a state-of-the-art driving simulator to compare the driving ability of subjects using a mobile phone under two conditions -- one holding a mobile phone, and the other using a headset, leaving their hands free.

The Plantronics study is one of the first of its kind to analyze physical impairment experienced while driving and using a mobile phone; to date most other studies have focused solely on the mental distraction of using a mobile phone while driving. The study was conducted by Design Science, an independent human factors research firm that has conducted other driving-related studies for a wide range of organizations including the Department of Transportation.

"The central question of our study was, 'For a person using a mobile phone, does driving improve if he or she uses a headset?' What the research showed is that, across all conditions, the answer is a resounding yes," said Stephen Wilcox, Ph.D., Principal of Design Science. "Driving with both hands on the wheel is the safest option for motorists who use mobile phones, and headsets are tools to enable that improvement."

The driving performance of 24 subjects in three major categories was measured: steering accuracy, braking reaction time and speed variability. Key initial findings of the research found:

  --  71% of the test subjects steered more accurately when using a headset
  --  100% of the test subjects had faster brake reaction times when using a
      headset
  --  92% of the test subjects maintained a more consistent speed when using
      a headset

"This initial research provides strong evidence that driving and talking on a mobile phone while using a headset is significantly safer than driving while using a handheld mobile phone. Plantronics believes the most important thing is to help promote safer conditions for everyone, and headsets enable drivers to keep both hands on the wheel," said Beth Johnson, Plantronics senior director of product marketing. "We're sharing these results with our customers and the public at large as part of an ongoing effort to better educate drivers on options for using mobile phones comfortably and responsibly while driving."

Initiative Focuses On Customers

Plantronics' study is part of a recently launched research initiative aimed at better understanding the customer, their needs, buying habits and how they use telecommunications devices, including headsets. As part of the initiative, the company has contracted with Design Science, who will continue to study the physical impairment of mobile phone use while driving.

Plantronics also completed a national Omnibus survey earlier this year to measure people's attitudes regarding headsets and mobile phone use. The survey of 1,000 individuals revealed that 75% surveyed said they wished their friends and family would use a hands-free device while driving and talking on a mobile phone. In addition, 77% said they thought all motorists should use a hands- free device while driving and talking on their mobile phones.

Recent Hands-Free Legislation

Plantronics' research findings follow closely on the heels of "hands-free" legislation that was enacted July 1 in Washington, D.C. and New Jersey, requiring drivers to use a hands-free device while driving and talking on a mobile phone. New York is currently the only other state with a law banning the use of handheld mobile phones while driving, but similar laws have been proposed in more than 20 other states, including California and Massachusetts.

"It's important to keep in mind that our study is not intended to address the issue of whether or not it is safe to talk on a mobile phone while driving, but rather what type of technology is safest for drivers to use while talking on their mobile phones," said Johnson. "In that regard, we've found that headsets are a much safer alternative to handheld phones."

Plantronics recognizes that there are occasions when driving circumstances make talking on a mobile phone -- handheld or hands-free -- unsafe. Plantronics encourages motorists to initiate calls while off the road, to not conduct highly emotional phone discussions while driving and to pull over or hang up in many instances to protect the safety of themselves, their passengers and others on the road. For more safety tips, visit the Plantronics website at www.plantronics.com.

About Plantronics

Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognized as the world leader in communications headsets. A publicly held company with approximately 4,000 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. Plantronics headsets are also used widely in many Fortune 500 corporations and have been featured in numerous motion pictures and high-profile events, including Neil Armstrong's historic "One small step for man" transmission from the moon in 1969. Plantronics, Inc., headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, was founded in 1961 and maintains offices in 18 countries. Plantronics products are sold and supported through a worldwide network of authorized Plantronics marketing partners. Information about the Company and its products can be found at www.plantronics.com or by calling 800-544-4660.