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The Healthy Skeptic
THE CLAIM: Hands-free cell phones are safer to use while driving than hand-held phones.
Female Speaker: I use my hands-free cell phone device when I'm in my car so that I can always pay attention to road and keep my hands on the steering wheel and not be distracted.
Robert Davis: If like me you took the Driver's Ed Course, one of the first things you learn is to keep your hands firmly on the wheel at all times. A hands-free cell phone device like this lets you do just that which is why you would seem to be safer and holding a phone to your ear while driving. In fact, a growing number of states have passed laws requiring drivers to use hands-free devices. But these laws and our faith in hands-free phones may be misguided.
A study of Australian drivers show that those using a cell phone were 4 times more likely than non cell users to be in a serious crash even if the phone was hands-free. Lamp studies involving simulated driving help explain why, talking on the phone appears to slow reaction time. Watch out this driver engrossed in conversation fails to break in time to avoid hitting a building.
Oh! I just got an accident.
Robert Davis: Subjects using hands-free devices do know better than those holding their phone.
Male Speaker3: Oh! I just hit a car.
Robert Davis: Some research has even found cell phone users to be as impaired as drunk drivers regardless of the type of phone. The reason is distraction. You may think your mind is fully on the road but in fact your attention is partly diverted to whatever you're talking about and research suggests that cell phone conversations are more distracting than talking to other passengers because they can tell when the driver needs to concentrate.
You know given our reliance on cell phones, it may not be realistic for most of us to avoid using them all together in the car. It's the best advice talk only when necessary and keep it brief. If you need to have a longer conversation pull over and wait until you reach your destination. Doing so my very well, save your life. For more information on cell phones and driving or if you've a claim you'd like us to check out visit our website everwell.com. Helping you being a healthy skeptic I'm Robert Davis.
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