June is National Safety Month
The National Safety Council urges all drivers to celebrate and participate in National Safety Month. The emphasis of National Safety Month is to raise awareness of what it takes to stay safe on our nation’s roadways. Observed annually in June, National Safety Month focuses on reducing the leading causes of injury and death, including distracted driving.
Distracted Driving is Dangerous
Eighty percent of American drivers believe hands-free devices are safer than using a handheld phone. Unfortunately, statistics prove otherwise. More than 30 studies show hands-free devices are no safer because the brain remains distracted by the conversation.
When talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of their surroundings, such as:
- Traffic lights
- Stop signs
- Pedestrians
- Other drivers’ turn signals or brake lights
- Road construction workers
The Myth
Although hands-free devices are not a safe option, the statistics above show that the majority of Americans think they are. Using an earpiece or a dashboard-mounted system is just as dangerous as using your hand to hold a cell phone. The bottom line – there is no safe method of driving and talking on the phone.
Multiple studies show that using hands-free systems provide little to no safety benefits. Even if both of your hands are on the wheel and your eyes are focused on the road, your mind can still be distracted. Consider this: drivers have been using manual transmission vehicles for years. These cars and trucks require the driver to manually adjust the stick shift multiple times while driving- the issue is not about keeping two hands on the wheel, but about the distraction of the mind.
According to the NSC, more than half of the people surveyed believe hands-free devices must be safe because they are a built-in feature of modern vehicles. Add the state laws requiring people to use only hands-free devices, and the confusion is understandable.
The Truth
- According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hands-free features that are built into dashboards may increase a driver’s level of distraction.
- According to Texas A&M Transportation Institute, voice-to-text features on cell phones are actually more distracting than their manual-entry counterparts.
- While texting (whether manually or through a voice-to-text feature), drivers have slower reaction times and look at the road less frequently.
Take The Pledge
There is no safe way to use a cell phone and drive – even with a hands-free device. Protect the ones you love – including yourself – and pledge to stop using your phone behind the wheel. Distracted driving kills.
Remember:
- Eyes on the road
- Hands on the wheel
- Mind on driving
Horn Law – Vehicle Accident Attorneys
Take your safety seriously, at home, behind the wheel, and when using cell phones. Distracted driving is responsible for more auto accidents than any other factor, even drunk driving. If you or someone you know has been injured or involved in an accident, Horn Law can help. We represent clients in Kansas City, Independence, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, and all of Missouri. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
