Are Hands-free Devices “Safer” while driving?

Hands-free Devices “Safer” while driving?

Many people consider their hands-free use of cell phones much safer than using a handheld device to make a call. However, according to the National Safety Council infographic, these people might be laboring under a severe misapprehension.

While hands-free devices do allow people to keep both hands on the wheel, this isn’t necessarily more helpful. The problem lies in the distraction of the call itself. Distracted driving is a top factor in fatal car crashes, and they cause about 100 fatalities a day.

Human brains aren’t actually designed to multitask. While you can talk and drive at the same time, your brain is actually toggling between the tasks, not working on both at once. According to studies, the activity in the area of the brain that processes moving images decreases by up to a third when listening to or talking on the phone. Likewise, drivers who are speaking on the phone and looking out the windshield can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them.

Hands-free devices can also be even more distracting if you’re using a voice-to-text feature. Phones are still incapable of recording speech precisely as it is spoken, which means text messages can be full of errors. People might glance down at the phone to check whether the phone has recorded their message correctly, and during this time their eyes aren’t on the road and both hands aren’t on the wheel.

The best way to avoid an accident is to prevent yourself from using your phone at all. Likewise, take care of all navigation and audio entertainment before you even leave your parking spot. Fiddling with the radio or the navigation system can be just as dangerous as sending a text. Do your best to concentrate on the road and keep both hands on the wheel.

If you or a loved one were harmed by a negligent driver, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our skilled South Carolina car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping the victims of personal injury seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Let us see what we can do for you.

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