Are Hand-Free Devices Safe While Driving?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states in 2012, 3,328 people suffered fatal injuries and 421,000 people sustained serious harm in accidents involving a distracted driver. Most people understand how dangerous it is for a person to remove their hands from the steering wheel while driving. Of course, this is even more dangerous if a person uses their hands to participate in non-driving activities such as texting and eating. To create what some people believe are safer driving conditions, many drivers will use hand-free technologies, which allow them to use voice-control for various activities, like changing the music, finding directions, texting, talking on the phone and more. But, is this really safer?

The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that these hand-free technologies create distractions for drivers even if their hands remain on the steering wheel and their eyes are focused on the road. While the distraction may not be physical, a mental distraction can be just as deadly. In fact, one study concludes that the average person will take 27 seconds to regain full alertness after making a command while driving. In this amount of time, a person can drive across three football fields at just 25 miles an hour.

Three Different Types of Distracted Driving

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states there are three classifications of distracted driving. Below are the types of distracted driving followed by brief descriptions:

• Visual distraction: This type of distraction occurs when a driver is involved in any activity that removes their eyes from the road.
• Manual distraction: This type of distraction occurs when a driver is involved in any activity that removes their hands from the steering wheel.
• Cognitive distraction: This type of distraction occurs when a driver is involved in any activity that removes their thought-process and mental awareness from the road and driving conditions.

It is important to keep in mind that any type of distracted driving is unsafe. Whether a driver has one hand of the wheel, is looking down at their phone for one second, or is busy making commands at their voice-activated technology, they can create extremely dangerous driving conditions for themselves and all other sharing the road.

Harmed in a Distracted Driving Car Accident? Our Detroit Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

If you have sustained injuries in a car accident that involved a distracted driver, it is important that you seek experienced legal advocacy right away. After you have been involved in a collision caused by a negligent, careless, or reckless driver, you reserve the right to pursue financial compensation for any physical harms, emotional distresses, medical expenses, or lost wages you may acquire as a result. At Goodman Acker P.C., our Detroit car accident lawyers can provide relentless and fearless representation on your behalf.

When you have been wronged, we can help you make it right. Contact our Detroit personal injury attorneys at Goodman Acker P.C. today!