The streets in New York bustle with people at all hours. In a city with such dense population, hands-free technology is becoming more popular. While car companies tout it as a way to avoid the dangers of distracted driving, how helpful is it in the end?
The Open University states that hands-free technology is not much help. Some studies say drivers using hands-free technology are less likely to crash. Compare this to drivers who check their phones or talk while holding the phone.
But other studies argue against this point. Drivers interacting with a phone at all are four times more likely to get in a crash. Compare this to undistracted drivers who are not interacting with any technology. Another important factor is how long the risk lasts. After a conversation has ended, the driver is at an increased risk for crashing for up to five minutes.
This highlights the reason why even hands-free technology is dangerous. Distracted driving does not only mean your eyes are not on the road. If your thoughts are not on your driving, this is also a form of distraction. It is just as risky as driving while glancing at your phone screen. Hands-free technology only tackles one part of the risks of distracted driving.
Drivers who rely on hands-free technology may be setting themselves up. They are even more prone to distraction with this false sense of security. It is important for all drivers to understand the risks of hands-free technology. This way, they do not overestimate their own abilities or have a false sense of safety.