MODERN LIFESTYLE — RESEARCH

REFERENCES ing simulated driving. J Exp Psychol Appl 2003; 14 Troglauer T, Hels T, Christens PF. Extent and 9: 23-32. variations in mobile phone use among drivers 1 Batey R. Car phones: hazardous [letter]. The 8 Hosking S, Young K, Regan M. The effects of of heavy vehicles in Denmark. Accid Anal Prev Sydney Morning Herald 1988; 23 Jun: 16. text messaging on young novice driver per- 2006; 38: 105-111. 2 Allen Consulting Group. Australian mobile formance. Monash University Accident 15 Sullman MJM, Baas PH. Mobile phone use telecommunications industry. Economic signifi- Research Centre Report 246. Melbourne: among New Zealand drivers. Transport Res F cance. Report to Australian Mobile Telecom- MUARC, 2006. http://www.monash.edu.au/ Traffic Psychol Behav 2004; 7: 95-105. munications Association. Melbourne: Allen muarc/reports/rpts06.html (accessed Oct 16 Beirness DJ, Simpson HM, Desmond K. The Consulting, 2005. http://www.amta.org.au/ 2006). road safety monitor 2002: risky driving. Ottawa, default.asp?id=28 (accessed Nov 2006). 9 McEvoy SP, Stevenson MR, McCartt AT, et al. Ontario: Traffic Injury Research Foundation, 3 Australian Transport Council. Australian road Role of mobile phones in motor vehicle crashes 2002. http://www.trafficinjuryresearch.com/ rules. Sydney: National Road Transport Com- resulting in hospital attendance: a case-cross- publications/pub_details.cfm?intPubID=156 mission, 1999. over study. BMJ 2005; 331: 428-430. (accessed Oct 2006). 4 Taylor D McD, Bennett DM, Carter M, Garewal 10 Redelmeier DA, Tibshirani RJ. Association 17 Lamble D, Rajalin S, Summala H. Mobile phone D. Mobile telephone use among Melbourne between cellular telephone calls and motor use while driving: public opinions on restric- drivers: a preventable exposure to injury risk. vehicle collisions. N Engl J Med 1997; 336: 453- tions. Transportation 2002; 29: 223-236. Med J Aust 2003; 179: 140-142. 458. 18 Wilson DH, Starr GJ, Taylor AW, Dal Grande E. 5Consiglio W, Driscoll P, Witte M, Berg WP. 11 McEvoy SP, Stevenson MR, Woodward M. The Random digit dialling and Electronic White Effect of cellular telephone conversations and impact of driver distraction on road safety: Pages samples compared: demographic pro- other potential interference on reaction time in results from a representative survey in two files and health estimates. Aust N Z J Public a braking response. Accid Anal Prev 2003; 35: Australian states. Inj Prev 2006; 12: 242-247. Health 1999; 23: 627-633. 19 Lajunen T, Summala H. Can we trust self- 495-500. 12 Woodward M. Epidemiology: study design and reports of driving? Effects of impression man- 6 Hancock PA, Lesch M, Simmons L. The distrac- data analysis. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: Chapman agement on driver behaviour questionnaire tion effects of phone use during a crucial driv- and Hall/CRC Press, 2005. responses. Transport Res F Traffic Psychol ing maneuver. Accid Anal Prev 2003; 35: 501- 13 Victorian Government. Victoria’s new gradu- Behav 2003; 6: 97-107. 514. ated licensing system [website]. http:// 7 Strayer DL, Drews FA, Johnston WA. Cell www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au/c_youngGLS_1.html phone-induced failures of visual attention dur- (accessed Oct 2006). (Received 8 Mar 2006, accepted 6 Jul 2006) ❏

s Com a pe tm t CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS s it i i r o h n

C The Directors

Garry J Walter

Generally, a hospital has one Director, but during the filming of “I’m the Director”, I explained. “And I’m Superman”, replied the several scenes of this year’s blockbuster Superman returns at disbelieving, portly guard. Another time, my wife visited the Thomas Walker Hospital (“Rivendell”) in Sydney, there were two! hospital to watch a scene being shot and announced on arrival that Equipped with a medical background and psychiatric qualifica- she was “the Director’s wife”, which floored a second security tions, I continued to be responsible for the smooth running of the guard, as Bryan Singer is openly gay. psychiatric hospital, while Bryan Singer, of X-Men fame, took There are differences, of course, between a hospital director and charge of the movie. a movie director. In this case, Mr Singer boasted an artistic In the main, there was no confusion about our identities and temperament, an entourage of doting attendants, a wonderfully roles among hospital staff, patients, actors and film crew, but there appointed caravan in which to unwind, and reportedly a $30 were a couple of exceptions. Early in the piece, when entering the million salary for making the film. I offered a milder manner, loyal hospital gates, I was accosted by one of the film’s security guards. but not fawning secretarial staff, my office as my sole retreat, and a considerably smaller salary. Although happy with my lot, subconsciously, along with other staff, I craved a part — hero, villain or mere extra — in the movie, but Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey and co. had these sewn up. Undeterred, I wore a hired Superman outfit under my suit for the duration of the filming and was ever ready to strut my stuff. “I’m the Director and Superman” would surely be hard to top, in one’s medical career and in life.

Author details Garry J Walter, MB BS, PhD, FRANZCP, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Coral Tree Family Service, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW. Correspondence: [email protected]

(Received 15 Aug 2006, accepted 12 Sep 2006) ❏

634 MJA • Volume 185 Number 11/12 • 4/18 December 2006