Hands-free devices are still dangerous

Being able to use voice commands to dial a phone or send a text message is certainly helpful when your hands are full. Not only that, but not having to hold a phone while having a conversation can be nice. These kinds of advances in technology certainly have their place in society, but not behind the wheel. Even though drivers may assume that hands-free means distraction free with regard to cellphones behind the wheel, more than 30 studies have shown that hands-free devices are just as dangerous as handheld devices.

Sadly, there are many people in Pittsburgh who don’t realize this and continue to drive while distracted. Even if it is not a phone or a built-in “infotainment” system, there are a number of things that can distract drivers.

Whenever drivers take their eyes off the road or are more focused on something in the car than with driving itself, they are distracted. Of course, not having one’s eyes on the road can lead to some serious car accidents, but so can having a mental distraction like a conversation. Trying to talk, either on the phone or with someone else in the vehicle, it is forcing the brain to multi-task, something no one is good at (no matter how much they might try to convince you otherwise).

If a distracted driver does cause an accident, his or her victims can file a personal injury lawsuit. By showing signs of distraction, a car accident victim stands a better chance of proving the driver’s negligence, securing the compensation he or she needs to recover.

Source: Insurance Journal, “Why Hands-Free Cell Phones Are Not Safer: Safety Council,” April 15, 2014