The Human Brain and Cell Phones

There are three significant factors that create unique motivations to pick up a cell phone while behind the wheel:

Cell phone “pings” affect people like a drug.

Now that cell phones have become a part of everyday life, the human brain anticipates hearing the alert noise of a text, call, or social media update. When a person hears that ding, the brain experiences a small rush of dopamine—a natural feel-good chemical leading to increased alertness, arousal, and feeling of reward. Therefore, like any drug that increases the release of dopamine, it’s easy to become addicted. A person hears that ding while driving and “needs” to know what it is.

The fear of missing out.

Because the human brain anticipates the reward of receiving mobile phone notifications, it also places false importance on the content of the message or call. For example, drivers may choose to look at their phone because they worry about being left out of social plans or an important work meeting. This fear of missing out can overpower the priority of safety in the brain and lead to disaster.

People think they can multitask.

Though some evidence attempts to suggest otherwise, solid scientific research has proven that the human brain cannot give its full attention to more than one task at a time. Driving and talking on the phone involve two thinking tasks, and many areas of the brain are involved. Instead of processing both tasks at the same time, the brain switches back and forth between the two. Even using hands-free devices diminishes the brain’s attention to safe driving.

 

Christopher L. Russo
Helping Rhode Island personal injury victims for nearly three decades to get the compensation they deserve.
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