Introduction
Hands-Free Phone Less Distractive and Safer For Drivers?
Hands-free phones have existed since the mid-1990s with most phones connected to hands-free devices by wire or short-wave radio technology to enable the exchange of signals from the host phone. The first devices had large microphones but currently, earpieces and microphones have become smaller and less obtrusive. Currently, different styles of hands-free phones have been developed with others having foam earpiece, an earbud that fits inside the ear and a gadget that fits over the ear.
They range from about $15 to $150 depending on the type and model (Turnquist, 50). According to a national survey conducted by Omnibus in April 2003, nearly half of all Americans who own cell phones use them while driving. Within the group surveyed three quarters agreed that cell phone users should use hands-free technology while driving. Despite this, most cell phone users still say that they never used a hands-free device. Others argue that hands-free devices are better than handheld devices because they don’t need the amount of concentration required when using a phone. But the question pending from the introduction of the hands-free device is “are they any safer than using phones when driving?
Explanation
Like phones, hands-free devices still require the use of hands to activate them. Researchers feel that hands-free devices actually put people at a greater risk than hand-held phones (National Safety Council, 60). For example, when driving and a call comes in, some people would try putting up an earbud on or they may try setting up a microphone. Their attempts to put up the devices will distract them and the minute they set their eyes and mind off the road, anything can happen. This can be avoided if the driver had habitually worn the device before they got in their vehicle.
Even when the device is in the ear, one will still have to dial or push a button to activate the phone and thus becomes a safety issue. Additionally, voice-activated dialing systems that are installed in phones may still not be bug-free because some drivers may be frustrated with them. This will also become a safety issue.
According to a research conducted on students at the University of Utah in 2001, students using either cell phone, hand-held or hands-free were reacting slower than they actually did when not using these gadgets (Frost). They also found that drivers using these gadgets missed many signals than they did when not using phones or hands-free devices. The research shows how one is vulnerable to an accident when destructed by the device. The research also estimated that talking on a hands-free device when driving reduced the amount of visual information that can be processed by the mind by about 50 percent.
Hands-free devices and phone use while driving has also been studied by psychology professor Paul Atchley from the University of Kansas. He says that the devices are probably safer under very limited circumstances. His research found out that the use of a phone or a hands-free gadget reduced the attention of a 20-year-old driver to a level seen in an 85-year-old driver. The director of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Barry H. Kantowitz, also believes that cell phones and hands-free devices when used when driving also pose as a serious hazard to our safety (Halsey).
But he says that hands-free devices are better because they don’t need the amount of concentration required when using a phone. On the contrary, Donald Redelmeier and Robert Tibshirani of the University of Toronto found out that hands-free gadgets offered no safety advantage over hand-held phones. Their argument is based on attention rather than his or her dexterity. Hands-free devices might also give drivers a false sense of security that might expose them to greater risk as compared to hand-held phones.
According to Washington, drivers using cellular phones are four times as likely to get into a crash and using a hands-free device does not necessarily improve safety. The research reported by Washington and published in the British Medical Journal found out that male and female drivers equally had the same risk when using a phone or hands-free devices (Halsey). Their similarities included the age of the driver. The same risk applied to drivers who are older or younger than age 30. Lawmakers are trying to find ways of reducing driver distraction. Different states in the U.S have taken steps at protecting the public.
New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, for example, have a ban on talking on hand-held cell phones while driving. In Connecticut, drivers too have been banned from using hand-held phones but are allowed to use hands-free devices while driving. Other cities such as Chicago, Santa Fe, N.M., and Brookline, require hands-free devices built in on automobiles. A study done in the cities found out fourfold increase crashes when drivers were using either hands-free devices or cell phones. Research has found out that more drivers who use phones crashed as compared to other similar periods when driving.
Americans who own cell phones use them while driving and just like phones, hands-free devices still require the use of hands to activate them. Researchers feel that hands-free devices actually put people at a greater risk than hand-held phones. Even when the device is in the ear, one will still have to dial or push a button to activate the phone and thus becomes a safety issue. Additionally, voice-activated dialing systems that are installed in phones may still not be bug-free because some drivers may be frustrated with them (National Safety Council, 70).
This will also become a safety issue. Drivers using a hand-held phone or hands-free these gadgets missed many signals than they did when not using the phones or hands-free devices. The research shows how one is vulnerable to an accident when destructed by the device. The research also estimated that talking on a hands-free device when driving reduced the amount of visual information that can be processed by the mind by about 50 percent.
Conclusion
Finally, hands-free gadgets offer no safety advantage over hand-held phones. Researchers argue that it is based on attention rather than his or her dexterity. Hands-free devices might also give drivers a false sense of security that might expose them to greater risk as compared to hand-held phones. Drivers using cellular phones are four times as likely to get into a crash. Using a hands-free device does not necessarily improve safety. The research reported by Washington and published in the British Medical Journal found out that male and female drivers equally had the same risk when using a phone or hands-free devices. Their similarities included the age of the driver. The same risk applied to drivers who are older or younger than age 30.
Work Cited
Frost, Randall. Hand-Held Cell Phones vs. Hands-Free Cell Phones: Are Hands-Free Cell
Phones Any Less Distracting for Drivers? Retrieved on 8 May 2011 from <<http://www.roadandtravel.com/safetyandsecurity/handsfreecellphone.htm>>
Halsey, Ashley. Hands-Free Cell Phones just as Likely to Distract Drivers. The Breaking News
Blog, retrieved on 8, May 2011 from <<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012900053.html>>
National Safety Council. Traffic Safety, Vol.103. National Safety Council Publishers, 2003. 60
& 70
Turnquist, Daniel. Mobile Phones and Driving. Nova Publishers, 2006. 50
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