Multiple laws have been put into place to reduce texting while driving. State and local governments are constantly encouraging drivers to use voice dictation rather than texting while driving to prevent collisions. But are hands-free devices actually safer than texting? Read more to find out.
Hands-Free Devices vs. Texting
Sending hands-free text messages must be safer, right? After all, you don’t have to hold and look at the screen when you use voice dictation. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute studied people driving to determine which method was safer. They studied drivers who text by hand, text by voice (using Siri for iPhone and Vlingo for Android), and without texting at all.
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that it makes no difference whether a driver texts or uses voice dictation. They found that “response times were significantly delayed no matter which texting method was used.”
In either case, drivers who were texting took twice as long to react as they did without using their phones. Therefore, whether a person uses hand-free devices or texts while driving, they are still spending considerably less time watching the road.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents because it robs driver’s attention from the road. According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. It is impossible for a person to drive safely unless they only have their attention on driving.
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