It’s become clear that texting while driving leads to deadly car accidents, and you know it. That’s why you invested in a hands-free texting system that uses talk-to-text technology. All you have to do is push a button, and then your mobile device transcribes what you say.
You think it’s a perfect solution. Now you can text without ever taking your hands off of the wheel!
But, is hands-free texting while driving really safe?
You could argue that it is safer than traditional texting, but that definitely does not mean it is safe in an objective sense. One study said that using voice-to-text was “just as distracting” as holding a phone in your hand.
There are a few issues. To start with, you still have to locate your device, push a button, check the spelling and send the message. It’s not as if you’re uninvolved in the process.
The bigger issue, though, is the mental distraction. That doesn’t go away just because you’re talking instead of texting. You still have to devote energy to thinking about the conversation and processing that information. That means that you’re multitasking — something that humans really don’t do very well. The distraction of using voice-to-text can lead to accidents because you’re not wholly focused on driving.
Remember, any distraction in the car is potentially dangerous, no matter what it looks like. New technology may be designed to help, but do not assume it is just going to eliminate all your risk.
Unfortunately, even if you put away your phone entirely and vow never to text again, you’re still at risk from other distracted drivers on the road — who may involve you in an accident. If that happens, learn more about how you can obtain compensation to cover the medical bills for your injuries and lost wages through a consultation with an attorney.