Study: Hands-free cell phones don't help

According to a study by researchers in Sweden (reported on Wired.com), hands-free equipment for cell phones isn't helpful for improving driving safety:

The National Road Administration (SNRA) tested 48 people in driving simulators, dividing them into two groups -- one with and the one without hands-free mobile phone devices.

The drivers in both groups received about 10 phone calls each during 1.5 hours of simulated driving in different conditions. The test revealed almost no difference in reaction time between the two groups.

There is some controversy about the issue, but other research has shown that talking on a cell phone (whether hands-free or not) reduces driver reaction time more than driver intoxication at the 0.08 blood-alcohol level.