Technology is advancing at a faster rate than we can handle. Every couple of months. New technology is appearing. The latest is wearable technology, i.e., Google glasses. We have not yet mastered using cell phones while driving. We should not be using cell phones while driving. Do hands free devices make it any safer?
The University of Utah published a study concerning about motorists who use hands free phones. The study revealed that motorists who use hands free phones are as impaired as if they drive intoxicated as the legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08. 0.08 is the legal limit in most jurisdictions. This is startling. You would not believe this if there were no such study. Many people drive using hands free devices. We have seen people driving using a cell phone directly. We have seen them. If this study is accurate, than there are many motorist operating their motor vehicles at the equivalent of motorist who is at the legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08. Next time you are driving look around at the other drivers and see what they are doing and if they are distracted. If they are, you should be wary of them.
If you do not believe that distracted driving is real, over 3,000 people are killed each year due to an operator being distracted. AAA conducted a study into distracted driver. There are three categories in their study; visual(eyes off the road), manual (hands off the wheel) and cognitive (mind off task). Depending on the task, the greater the risk of being distracted. The greater the risk of being distracted, the greater the risk of a motor vehicle accident. The graph below lists the mental distraction level by task.
Mental Distraction Levels by Task Graph
The type of task increases the danger of being involved in an accident. The below graph shows it from the driver’s viewpoint.
Mental Distraction Rating System Graphic
The use of hands free devices does not make the usage of those devices safer. They increase the usage of those devices. The usage of these devices increases the likelihood of an accident occurring. Hands free devices increases the opportunity to be involved in an accident. Hands free devices or wearable technology are not hands safe.
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