We all have moments of distraction and we sometimes don’t see something that is well ahead. Researchers at the University of Washington, USA, did a test to determine exactly how much of human perception is impaired when talking on a cell phone.

They did an experiment documenting examples of real people who were so distracted while talking on a cell phone that did not see a clown walking on a unicycle.

When compared with individuals walking alone, in pairs or listening to an mp3 player, people talking on cell phones were the group most distracted. Only 25% of this group saw the clown. People who were not using the phone saw the clown in more than 50% of the time.

Furthermore, research has shown that people who used mobile phones are difficult to perform simple tasks, like walking. They walk more slowly, change direction more often, cannot walk straight and do not realize the other people around you.

For Ira Hyman, main author of the study, the results show clearly the reasons why people should not drive talking on the phone. “If people find it so difficult to do simple tasks like walking while talking on the phone, think about what it means to put them driving safely,” says the researcher.

Via: Telegraph.