One theory is that, yes, something different is going on in the brain when speaking on a phone, as opposed to speaking with a passenger. "It may be that talkin

One theory is that, yes, something different is going on in the brain when speaking on a phone, as opposed to speaking with a passenger. "It may be that talking on the phone generates mental images that conflict with the spatial processing needed for safe driving. Eye-tracking studies show that while drivers continually look side to side, cellphone users tend to stare straight ahead. "They may also be distracted to the point that their engaged brains no longer process much of the information that falls on their retinas, which leads to slower reaction times and other driving problems. -- New York Times, "A Problem of the Brain, Not the Hands: Group Urges Phone Ban for Drivers" [0] [0] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13well.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13well.html?_r=0 Edit: clarity.