Blog

Is Hands-Free Texting Really Safe? A New Study Says No

Everyone is distracted at times while they are driving. Whether it’s looking at the beautiful sunset to their left, eating lunch when in a hurry, or simply changing the radio station, it is nearly impossible to never been distracted. That said, there are steps that can be taken to significantly reduce the chance of getting into a car accident due to being distracted.

For example, there are new innovations it seems every week to combat the issue of people who are distracted by their smartphones. Hands-free devices have long been used to make phone calls, and most new vehicles are made with Bluetooth connections that make this easy, but now hands-free texting devices are on the market. They are specifically made to make it safer to text while driving but a recent study shows that this may not be the case at all.

If you sustained an injury after being involved in a car, truck, or bus accident that was the result of someone being knowingly distracted then you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.

The results of the study may shock you

One study, completed by the respected Texas A & M Transportation Institute, showed that there was no difference in reaction time when a person was looking at their phone to type out a text versus when they were talking into their phone to send the text. This means that while many states have banned texting while driving, the physical act of doing so may not be the problem at all – it may be that the distraction is all mental.

The specifics of the study

The study involved drivers texting by voice and texting typing. They found that regardless of the way the person was texting, their reaction time to changing road or driving conditions was about twice that of a person who was not using a phone at all. Scientists believe that this shows that the mental distraction of concentrating on what the text says is the real distraction. A person who does not give their full attention to the road can be involved in an accident more easily than a person who is fully paying attention.

Have you suffered as the result of a distracted driver?

If you have been injured in a car accident in which the at-fault driver was texting, talking on the phone, or doing anything else that can be construed as dangerous, then you may have a strong case against them. If you lost wages, had to use vacation time, and had medical bills to pay, they can all be included in the lawsuit.

Curious to know if it is the right way forward for you? Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We can go over the basics of your case to provide our experienced opinion on whether or not you have a case.