The study, which was published in the journal "Accident Analysis & Prevention," found that drivers who were talking to a passenger who could see what they were seeing were less likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who were talking to a passenger who could not see what they were seeing.
The researchers believe that this is because drivers who are talking to a passenger who can see what they are seeing are more likely to be aware of the dangers around them and to take evasive action if necessary.
"Our findings suggest that drivers should avoid talking to passengers who cannot see what they are seeing," said study author Dr. David Strayer. "This is especially important for drivers who are new to driving or who are driving in unfamiliar areas."
The study also found that drivers who were talking to a passenger who could see what they were seeing were more likely to maintain their speed and to stay in their lane.
"This suggests that drivers who are talking to a passenger who can see what they are seeing are more focused on their driving," said Strayer. "This is important for reducing the risk of a crash."
The researchers recommend that drivers who need to talk to a passenger while driving should pull over to the side of the road. This will allow them to focus on their conversation without being distracted from their driving.
"Talking while driving is a dangerous activity," said Strayer. "However, our findings suggest that it is safest to talk to a passenger who can see what you see. This is because drivers who are talking to a passenger who can see what they are seeing are more likely to be aware of the dangers around them and to take evasive action if necessary."
