Safety News: The SafeWise Blog

Is it Safe to Use a Hands-free Device to Talk on a Cellphone While Driving?

Contributing Writer

March 17, 2023

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While using a hands-free device is a little less distracting than texting, it does still take focus off the road, meaning it could lead to accidents or injuries.

Many people think distracted driving means texting and driving, but texting and driving makes up only one part of distracted driving. Other types of distracted driving include playing with the radio, eating and drinking while driving, talking to passengers, and, yes, talking on a cellphone.

This means if you are talking on the phone while driving—even with a hands-free device—you are still putting yourself and others at risk.

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Why is talking on the phone while driving dangerous?

Did you know that as much as 94% of accidents are caused by driver error, as opposed to poor weather conditions or other factors? Thousands of people have died in crashes where cellphones were involved, and that statistic includes hands-free devices.¹

Part of the reason talking on a cellphone while driving is so dangerous is because our brains are physically incapable of giving 100% of our attention to more than one task. This means when you are driving and talking on the phone, you are splitting your attention between at least two activities—driving and talking.

If you add screaming kids, the GPS, and/or eating a meal to the equation, you continue to divide your attention between even more activities, making it increasingly difficult to focus on driving.

What qualifies as a hands-free device?

A hands-free talking device can come in many forms:

Speaker Phone
Personal Phone Assistants
Headphones
Earpieces
Dashboard Phone Systems

Any of these methods of talking on the phone while driving is considered dangerous and could result in an accident.

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Written by

Celeste Tholen

Celeste has dedicated her decade-long career to reporting and reviews that help people make well-informed decisions. She oversees editorial strategy and production for SafeWise, with a goal to help everyone find the information they need to make their homes and lives safer. Prior to SafeWise, she worked as an editor and reporter for KSL and Deseret News. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. In her free time, she volunteers at the local botanical garden and writers for the community newspaper.