Hands-free mobile devices not enough to stop distracted driving

Many people in Georgia know that distracted driving is a major threat to highway safety. Due to laws designed to clamp down on the distractions created by smartphones, many drivers have shifted to hands-free mobile phones, at least for voice conversations. In general, phone usage that requires people to use their hands, like surfing the internet or most texting, is more distracting than voice conversations alone. Still, like any kind of stimulus, a hands-free cell phone can also be a distraction. People may struggle with voice commands and technical problems or simply get caught up in a conversation.

Some researchers have found that while using hands-free mobile phones can cut down on one type of distracted driving, it can also encourage others. Distraction is not limited to the effects of electronic devices, after all. For example, a driver might pick up a sandwich and eat on the road while having a conversation, and the two activities together contribute significantly to distraction. In some cases, they found up to a 100% increase in risk when using hands-free mobile devices, because people would use their hands for other activities, from eating to applying makeup. All of these activities work to take drivers’ hands away from the wheel and eyes away from the road.

Distracted driving has become such a priority because of the risk that it poses for serious motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Safety Council, at least nine people across the country are killed each day due to car crashes caused by distracted driving, and distraction is a major cause of deadly trucking collisions.

Motor vehicle collisions caused by a distracted or otherwise negligent driver can lead to catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities. People injured in car accidents caused by someone else may work with a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation for their damages.