Hands-Free Devices Do Not Mitigate Distracted Driving Dangers

February 02, 2013

Hands-Free Devices Do Not Mitigate Distracted Driving Dangers

Twenty years ago, drunk drivers and drowsy drivers were two of the most significant dangers travelers in the United States faced on the road. Today, distracted drivers - particularly those texting while driving - have emerged as a serious traffic threat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,092 people were killed and an additional 419,000 injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers in 2010, the last year for which statistics are available. Motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers accounted for approximately 18 percent of all car accidents that year.

Because of the severity of the threat posed by distracted drivers, lawmakers have responded in recent years by enacting bans on texting and hand-held cell phone use while driving. Phone manufacturers and automakers have also begun offering a variety of hands-free technologies that allow users to receive and send texts and emails without touching their phones. The theory is, of course, that a driver can control his vehicle safely and stay connected so long as he keeps his eyes on the road and his hands on the wheel.

Hands-Free Devices Not Safe

New research, however, indicates that hands-free devices do not offer any safety benefits when used by drivers. Last year, researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute evaluated the performance of a group of drivers on a closed course. Half of the drivers received and sent texts while driving with their phones, while the other half received and sent texts using a hands-free system.

Predictably, those using their phones to text while driving did not perform well. Researchers were surprised to learn, however, that drivers using hands-free devices also did not perform well. Although the hands-free devices allowed drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, the act of composing a message required a significant amount of cognitive attention, enough to distract the drivers from their primary task of controlling their cars.

Although phone manufacturers and car companies are touting hands-free technology as a safety feature, it appears as if it is not true. Unfortunately, considering many people's desire to remain connected at all times, the problem is not likely to go away any time soon.

A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a car accident due to the negligence of a distracted driver, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the fair and adequate compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering you deserve. For more information about what a personal injury attorney can do for you, contact a lawyer today.

Article provided by Goldstein & Goldstein
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