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Drivers combining hands-free cell use with other distractions

On Behalf of | Jan 6, 2020 | personal injury

Drivers in North Carolina and across the nation use hands-free devices in order to talk on their cellphones while driving. While some may feel like this makes driving safer, data actually shows the opposite to be true. It seems that when a person uses a hands-free cellphone while driving, he or she is likely to engage in other risky behaviors at the same time.

This data comes from Lytx, which is a provider of safety and productivity solutions, analytics and video telematics for commercial and public sector fleets. They found that over 20% of the fleets that they analyzed involved drivers who engaged in various behaviors that were potentially risky. Depending on which risky behaviors are engaged in at the same moment, it could increase a driver’s risk of getting into an accident by up to 100%.

When people used a hands-free device to talk on the phone while driving, instead of keeping their hands on the wheel, they would eat, smoke or drink. They basically were compounding their risk by freeing up their hands to perform other potentially distracting activities.

Among the fleets that were tracked in 2018, Lytx reported a 27% increase in the use of hands-free devices for cellphones. They saw a 10% percent increase in events where drivers used a hands-free device while, at the same time, engaging in another potentially risky behavior.

While steps are being taken to reduce truck accidents, the truth is that many crashes still occur and cause disastrous consequences. An individual who has been injured may wish to discuss his or her situation with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer could examine the case and help a person file the necessary paperwork. He or she could speak with insurance companies and work to build a case in order to represent a client in court and help him or her get compensation for his or her injuries.