Phone Calls Kill: Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Did you know that driving hands-free can be just as distracting as using a handheld phone?

I had absolutely no idea!

In fact, 80 percent of American drivers believe hands-free devices are safer than using a handheld phone. But that is just not the case.

More than 30 studies show hands-free devices are no safer because the brain remains distracted by the conversation.

When talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them, such as traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrians.​

Distracted Driving Awareness Month Challenge

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As if having kids in the car wasn’t a distraction enough! But using a phone can add to the fray.

As part of a challenge from The National Safety Council, I was asked to give up all cell phone use — both handheld and hands-free — while driving for at least a week. This included talking, texting, emailing and whatnot… even though a dashboard infotainment system.

I was down in Florida on vacation visiting my folks for the week. Could I actually do it for a whole week? What I found was rather than offering to drive, which I often do, if I had something I needed (aka wanted) to do on the phone, I would ask another adult to drive. I found it easier to give up than I thought.

The one activity I could see being an extra challenge is if you use your phone as your navigation system. Granted, the phone will call out your instructions, but it’s still using your phone.

Take the Drive Cell Free Pledge

I took the National Safety Council pledge to drive cell free because I don’t want to risk my life or anyone else’s. And I challenge you to do the same.

You can join the pledge here or visit The National Safety Council’s Facebook page.

TELL ME:  Did you take the pledge?