Hands-Free Devices Do Not Solve Distracted Driving Problems

 Posted on June 23, 2016 in Personal Injury

It has probably happened to you. You are driving behind another vehicle that seems to be operating rather erratically. The car keeps speeding up, slowing down, or drifting to either side of the travel lane. When you finally are able to get safely get around the car, you cannot help but to glance at the driver to see what caused the trouble, expecting to see him or her engaged in sending or reading a text message. Instead, you watch the driver seeming to talk to him- or herself, gesturing and reacting, despite being alone in the car. Then it dawns on you: the driver is in the midst of a phone conversation using a hands-free device.

Drivers are constantly reminded about the dangers of cell phone use while driving and are strongly admonished to avoid texting while driving, which is also illegal in most states, including Illinois. However, thanks to the rise in onboard vehicle technology and Bluetooth devices, many drivers do not realize that hands-free phone conversations are often just as dangerous as holding the phone to their ear.

Distracting Conversation

The National Safety Council points out that, when it comes to cell phone conversations behind the wheel, the distraction is caused primarily by the call itself, not the use of a hand-held phone. It is easy for a driver to become engrossed in a conversation and to all but forget about the task of driving safely. While talking on a hands-free device may superficially seem similar to conversing with a passenger, it is, in reality, much different. A passenger can help be aware of the road as well, serving as another set of eyes. He or she can stop talking or pause the conversation when needed to keep everyone safe. The person on the other end of a cell phone call can do none of those things.

Increased Distractions

In addition to conducting cell phone conversations, hands-free devices are also being used now to send messages, search for radio stations, and to get driving directions. It turns out, these actions can be extremely distracting as well. According to a recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, it can take as long as 27 seconds for a driver’s attention to refocus on the road after using a hands-free device to dial a number or send a voice-to-text message. Too much can happen in half a minute at highway speeds, and the risks just are not worth it.

Distracted Driving Accident?

The use of a hands-free device to make or receive calls while driving is legal in Illinois, but that does not mean a distracted driver cannot be held liable for injuries caused by inattention or negligence. If you have been injured in such an accident, contact a DuPage County car accident lawyer to explore your options. Call 630-920-8855 for a free consultation at Martoccio & Martoccio today.

Sources:

http://www.nsc.org/DistractedDrivingDocuments/Cognitive-Distraction-White-Paper.pdf

https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015/10/16/hands-free-cellphones-make-driving-more-dangerous-not-less/PBKizEbUwZm880QS1PtClN/story.html