The Problem with Hands-free Devices
November 8, 2016- Categories: Vehicle Accidents
Are you one of those “responsible” drivers who has purchased one of the many cell phone holders that can be mounted near the steering column of your vehicle? Alternatively, does your vehicle have one of those cute display screens and a Bluetooth® application that lets you check out the best route to avoid California traffic while talking on your cellphone? “Look Mom, no hands!” Think you’re practicing safe driving habits? Think again.
According to a recent study sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC), the use of hands-free devices is not nearly as safe as you might think. In fact, depending upon the circumstances, their use can be more deadly than actually holding the cellphone to your ear.
Multi-Tasking, “Yeah, Right!”
According to the NSC, the popular notion that the human brains can “multi-task” is a myth. While it is true that the brain can “toggle” back and forth quite easily between two tasks, it still can only do one thing at a time. Scientific studies indicate that the activity in the brain that processes moving images decreases by up to one-third when the subject is listening to a conversation on the phone. The slowing down of brain activity has nothing to do with having the phone in your hand.
Other Dangerous Factors
The NSC has identified a number of other important danger factors, including the following:
- Even when a driver is looking out through the windshield at the roadway ahead, he or she can miss up to 50 percent of what is going on around them if speaking and listening on a cell phone. In the event of an accident, it’s essential to consult experienced railroad accident lawyers to protect your rights and seek appropriate compensation.
- Voice-to-text (via the Bluetooth® application) is more distracting than actually typing texts by hand.
- Talking on the cell phone – even via a hands-free application – is much more dangerous than talking with a passenger in the vehicle. The passenger is another set of eyes. He or she is able to help watch for hazards. Unfortunately, the “safe-to-talk-to-the-passenger” rule only seems to apply to adults. When teens drive and talk to others in the vehicle, safety goes out the window. If you or a loved one has been involved in a vehicle accident, it’s essential to consult a skilled vehicle accident attorney to understand your legal options and protect your rights.
Three-Part Safety Essential
Experts say that under any circumstances there are three driving safety essentials:
- Eyes on the road
- Hands on the wheel
- Mind on driving
Car Crashes Can be Devastating
Car crashes are often devastating to those involved. Those involved can suffer serious, sometimes fatal, personal injuries, which is why seeking legal assistance from experienced car crash attorneys is crucial in such situations. It may take months or even years to recover. In addition to the personal toll, there is the economic loss associated with being out of work. The medical expenses can be staggering, even if you have some insurance. Most crash victims determine that they need the help of a skilled, caring attorney in order to recover their loss. If you have suffered injury or if a member of your family has been killed in an auto crash, consider consulting with the law firm of Neale & Fhima APC. Working in Dana Point, San Diego, and Los Angeles, our firm is dedicated to providing excellent legal representation to those who have sustained serious injury.
Matt Neale is a distinguished personal injury attorneypersonal injury attorney who has garnered a reputation as a tough negotiator and litigator. He is well-respected by judges and other attorneys in the Southern California legal community, and the insurance companies know that Matt isn’t afraid to take his clients’ cases to trial. During his long and distinguished career, Matt has helped clients recover more than $40 million in damages. Aaron Fhima has a long record of success taking on large defense firms. Like Matt, Aaron doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary in order to enforce his clients’ rights. Request a free consultation by calling us at 1-888-407-2955 or complete our online form.
Attorney Aaron Fhima
Aaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights. [ Attorney Bio ]
