Most Massachusetts motorists are aware that they should not use their phones while they drive. However, some believe that hands-free phones are fine. Unfortunately, research has demonstrated that using hands-free phones while driving is also distracting and increases the risk of accidents.
Research on hands-free phones
According to research completed by the National Safety Council, people who use hands-free devices while driving fail to see as much as 50% of the objects and hazards around their vehicles. However, most people believe that distracted driving only includes texting while driving and do not recognize the risks of using hands-free technology while they are behind the wheel. When people use Bluetooth connections to type and send text messages or talk on hands-free phones to other people, their attention will be directed away from driving. This cognitive distraction greatly interferes with their driving abilities and increases the risk that they will cause motor vehicle accidents.
Includes more than texting
Many different activities are distracting and should be avoided while driving. Some of these include the following actions:
- Eating while driving
- Turning to check on children in the back
- Talking on the phone
- Adjusting your stereo dials
- Checking GPS
- Putting on makeup or brushing hair while driving
- Daydreaming while driving
When you get behind the wheel of your car, your attention should remain focused on the road at all times. Allowing yourself to become distracted can result in an accident. It doesn’t take much time for your attention to be pulled away from the road to have an accident. By turning off your cell phone and pulling over to check GPS or make phone calls, you might reduce the chances that you will be involved in a motor vehicle accident in which someone else is injured or killed.
