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The year long study videotaped volunteers while in their vehicles in order to determine exactly what driving behaviors cause crashes. Cell phones came out number one.
Released in June, 2003, this Swedish study concludes that using a hands free device does not diminish crash risk
Released January 27, 2003. Why don't conversations with passengers, listening to the radio and other activities effect drivers to the same magnitude as cell phone conversations? Interview with Dr. Strayer by Sciencentral
The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis has recently updated a previous study. They have estimated that each year, drivers on phones cause 2600 deaths, 570,000 injuries, and 1.5 million crashes causing property damage.
This study is part of a larger research project conducted by the University of Utah researchers. The conclusion is that the impairment comes from the phone conversation itself, not holding the device.
Cognitive researcher Jerry Cohen's preliminary findings conclude that phone conversations cause "tunnel vision" in drivers. He states that holding the phone isn't the main issue. Thinking is.
Cognitive researchers at KU conclude that "It's not having your hands taken away (from the wheel), it's having your mind taken away from the road". June 24, 2003 interview with Dr. Paul Atchley.
This is one of the major studies that came to two astonishing conclusions: Hands free equipment does not make a difference in limiting driver distraction, and simultaneously carrying on a phone conversation while driving is equivalent to driving legally intoxicated!
This study concludes that "a driver's performance is significantly undermined when the motorist is engaged in a conversation on a hands-free cellular phone".
A list of objections, and responses to this issue. There's a lot of logic here.
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