Scientific Research In Japan Proves That Talking While Driving Imposes High Cognitive Load, Slows Eye Control, And Can Turn Milliseconds Into Serious Accidents

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 07/01/2026 at 21:24

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Study Published in 2024 Reveals That Talking While Driving Directly Interferes with Eye Movements, a Critical Stage of Visual Perception, Even Without Cell Phone Use

A scientific discovery of high impact for road safety was revealed in 2024 by researchers from Fujita Health University in Japan. Right at the beginning of the study, scientists point out that the real risk while driving is not in listening to audio, but rather in talking while driving. According to the research, active speaking imposes a high cognitive load, capable of delaying eye control, essential for identifying hazards on the road before any physical reaction.

The results were published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, reinforcing evidence that the brain is affected even before motor action. Thus, even with hands free and eyes seemingly attentive, initial visual processing can be compromised.

Technical Study Reveals Direct Impact of Speech on Visual Perception

The research was developed to fill a gap left by previous studies, which mainly analyzed decision-making. This time, the scientists focused their investigation on initial visual processes, which occur before braking or any evasive maneuver.

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Small Delays Can Lead to Major Accidents

According to Shintaro Uehara, associate professor at Fujita Health University and leader of the study, approximately 90% of the information used in driving is acquired visually. Therefore, any delay in eye movements can result in delayed recognition of risks and, consequently, in late physical reactions, such as braking or swerving.

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Although the observed delays are fractions of a second, researchers warn that, in traffic, these milliseconds are decisive. Unexpected situations, such as the sudden presence of pedestrians, motorcyclists, or obstacles in the road, require immediate responses. Thus, a slight visual delay can be enough to turn an avoidable event into a serious accident.

Cognitive Load Goes Beyond Cell Phone Use

The study reinforces that the problem is not limited to cell phone use while driving. In practice, the mental effort to formulate responses and sustain a conversation, even through hands-free, imposes a cognitive overload capable of interfering with the neural mechanisms responsible for initiating and controlling eye movements.

According to researchers, these mechanisms represent the first stage of visuomotor processing during driving. Therefore, when speech interferes with this initial stage, the impairment occurs even before any motor action, increasing the risk of human error in dynamic traffic environments.

Direct Reflections on the Brazilian Scenario

The findings gain even more relevance when analyzed in light of the Brazilian context. In 2022, Brazil recorded over one million traffic accidents, with 33.8 thousand deaths, according to official data released that year.

This represents, on average, 92 deaths per day, in addition to a significant volume of injured individuals and those with permanent sequelae. For every traffic death, there are up to ten injured or sequelaed victims, which amplifies the social, economic, and human impact of traffic incidents.

In light of this scientific evidence and the recorded numbers, an inevitable reflection arises: if talking while driving delays visual perception and compromises critical reactions, to what extent can this practice still be considered safe in modern traffic?

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Scientific Research In Japan Proves That Talking While Driving Imposes High Cognitive Load, Slows Eye Control, And Can Turn Milliseconds Into Serious Accidents

Study Published in 2024 Reveals That Talking While Driving Directly Interferes with Eye Movements, a Critical Stage of Visual Perception, Even Without Cell Phone Use

Technical Study Reveals Direct Impact of Speech on Visual Perception

Small Delays Can Lead to Major Accidents

Cognitive Load Goes Beyond Cell Phone Use

Direct Reflections on the Brazilian Scenario

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Scientific Research In Japan Proves That Talking While Driving Imposes High Cognitive Load, Slows Eye Control, And Can Turn Milliseconds Into Serious Accidents

Study Published in 2024 Reveals That Talking While Driving Directly Interferes with Eye Movements, a Critical Stage of Visual Perception, Even Without Cell Phone Use

Technical Study Reveals Direct Impact of Speech on Visual Perception

Small Delays Can Lead to Major Accidents

Cognitive Load Goes Beyond Cell Phone Use

Direct Reflections on the Brazilian Scenario

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