Conversation limits the functional field of view.

Atchley P, Dressel J.

Hum Factors. 46(4):664-673, 2004

The purpose of these two experiments is to investigate one possible mechanism that might account for an increase in crash risk with in-car phone use: a reduction in the functional field of view.

In two between-subjects experiments, college undergraduates performed a task designed to measure the functional field of view in isolation and while performing a hands-free conversational task. In both experiments, the addition of the conversational task led to large reductions in the functional field of view.

Because similar reductions have been shown to increase crash risk, reductions in the functional field of view by conversation may be an important mechanism involved in increased risk for crashes with in-car phone use. Actual or potential applications of this research include improving driver performance.