Kentucky residents adapt to the changing landscape of driver safety in many ways. One of these ways is through the implementation of hands-free devices. They are a way to improve safety while on the road. Because of that, many drivers use hands-free devices on their daily commute. But how safe are they?
The National Safety Council has a campaign about the risks of hands-free devices. Though they help drivers keep their hands on the wheel, other distractions persist. With hands-free devices, you cannot guarantee that you will be able to keep your mind on the task at hand. Studies show that it is almost impossible for a driver to focus on the road mid-conversation. Mental distraction is one of the leading causes of crashes. It impacts a driver’s ability to spot and react to danger.
This distraction can also impact a driver’s eyesight. It is true that drivers will not be focusing on their screens, but that does not mean there is no danger. Holding a conversation can actually reduce a driver’s sight. Some studies have shown that there is a 50 percent reduction in a conversing driver’s field of vision. In other words, having a conversation while driving is like covering half of the windshield or rearview mirror. Needless to say, this can cause many collisions.
Hands-free devices are not as effective at combating distraction as many hope. They let drivers operate handheld devices without looking at or touching the screen. Still, the dangers of mental distraction persist. Drivers should consider this before relying on hands-free devices as safety features.
