The Dangers of Hands-Free Devices While Driving

Cell phones have transformed the way we communicate and access information. They’ve improved the way families can stay in touch with each other. They also provide maps, weather reports, and news.

We can use our cell phones to take pictures and videos, and even watch movies. Although cell phones offer many benefits, they are also a primary reason why distracted driving accidents occur.

Distracted driving has become such a safety concern that Mississippi enacted a bill in 2014 that bans texting and using social media while driving, but it does not prohibit using a cell phone, unlike other states that have enacted a total hands-free ban. The theory is that hands-free devices reduce the risk of distracted driving accidents.

However, that might not be entirely true, as there are still dangers with hands-free devices while driving.

If you’re involved in a car accident, determining liability is crucial. The Jackson distracted driving attorneys at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, have direct experience with helping clients who have been involved in these types of crashes. Our first step is to access the mobile phone records of the at-fault party to determine if they were using their devices at the time of the accident.

Those records are not something the average person can obtain, but we do it on behalf of our clients all the time. They could reveal that the driver was using those devices, even though they are considered “hands-free.”

What Are the Dangers of Hands-Free Devices While Driving?

Most accidents could be prevented if drivers allowed for a proper braking distance. Your braking distance is the amount of space you need to come to a full stop after you react to something ahead. The faster you drive, the greater the braking distance required. For instance, if you’re traveling at 50 mph on the highway, you need a braking distance of 198 feet or approximately 14 car lengths.

When was the last time you drove on the highway with that much distance between you and the car in front of you?

This is where the issue of hands-free driving comes into play. If you aren’t holding a cell in your hand, then your eyes can stay focused on the road ahead and allow you to create a safe braking distance.

However, there is still the risk of shifting focus when using a hands-free device. Here are the potential problems:

Cognitive Distraction

A cognitive distraction is when your mind is thinking of something else besides the road ahead.

Obviously, you can think of other things when driving, but when you read a text that pops up on your phone or engage with a caller, that is where your primary focus will shift. That can slow down your reaction times and impair your situational awareness.

Manual Distraction

Along with a cognitive distraction, your hands-free device can also cause manual distraction.

Even though you might have your phone mounted on a stand or using earbuds to take calls, you will still occasionally have to touch those devices to accept or end a call. That means taking your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road, which can lead to accidents.

What Are the Mississippi Distracted Driving Laws?

When filing an accident claim of this nature, it is important to understand how the law defines distracted driving. In Mississippi, the law prohibits the following:

• Reading, writing, or sending text messages while operating a moving vehicle
• Using social media while operating a moving vehicle
• Bus drivers should not use a cell phone, even hands-free, at any time that a minor is on board.

You are allowed to send and receive texts at a red light. You can also use a headset or earbuds, and there aren’t any special restrictions for teen drivers.

Keeping Your Family Safe

While cell phones make it easier to stay in touch with your family, you have to be aware of the consequences, especially if you have teen drivers in the house. If you know your kid is driving, you want to avoid texting or calling them until they arrive at their destination. It might be a good idea for you and your teens to get into the habit of turning off your phones for the duration of the trip.

When an accident is caused by a distracted driver, you are entitled to seek a remedy. The attorneys at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, can provide assistance.

Whether you intend to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver or pursue legal action in court, we have the skills and experience to guide you through the process.

Call to discuss a strategy for your distracted driver accident claim today.