You may want to put down that cell phone next time you step foot through a busy intersection, especially if you're older, suggests new research.
Published in the journal Psychology and Aging, one study found older adults had lower success at crossing the street within a 30-second time period while talking on a cell phone.
Thirty-six subjects -- half college-aged, half between the ages of 59 and 81 -- crossed the eight-meter (26-foot) simulated street by using a treadmill.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign measured the time it took to initiate and cross the street as well as the number of "head turns" people used to assess the safety of crossing the street. Subjects completed the experiment with no distractions, while listening to music and while talking on the phone.
The most notable differences between the two age groups occurred during cell phone use.
The simulated environment included cars driving through the intersection intermittently, which challenged subjects to pay attention to walking and talking on the phone. On average, the older subjects took longer to begin crossing the street while on the phone, and their increased vigilance did little to protect them from oncoming traffic.
Although younger people generally performed better at the task and were more likely to cross the road within the allotted time, the work supports previous research by showing that multitasking compromises one's attention regardless of age.
But in this case, older adults performed worse than younger adults at completing the task, revealing they have more difficulties multitasking in conditions that aren't as challenging for younger adults.
So why the difference?
Since the older adults took longer to initiate crossing the street, the research team believes cognitive factors -- not physical ones -- are at play. That is, these subjects seemed to deal with deciding when to cross at a slower rate than their younger counterparts.
Keep in mind the tasks were performed in a closed, simulated environment. Despite the conditions resembling reality, the team admits the artificial street lacked the sounds of a real one.
The research comes at a time when an increasing number of local laws bar cell phone use for drivers. Few laws restrict pedestrians from using cell phones at this time.
Researchers hope their work may help lower the some 61,000 accidents between U.S. pedestrians and vehicles each year.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Tags: Generations, Technology
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