Posted On: June 7, 2006, 3:33 pm CDT

Posted By: mom

Actually, yes - I too saw the study that it didn't really matter - the greater risk is diverting your attention (even if its semi-mindless attention) from the road to the conversation. So any phone conversation is dangerous because you tend to focus more intently on phone conversations which are less clear & devoid of visual cues.
And if your attention is equally focused on the music or talk radio as opposed to having the radio as background noise, it's dangerous.
Even highly emotional or intellectually challenging conversation should be tabled between occupants in the car. I always made my kids be quiet when I was merging in traffic or dealing with some other particular driving hazard. Distraction from your primary duty while at the wheel is the issue.
I pass on the mile a minute issue.