Using a cell phone while driving has become more and more of a hot topic over the past decade because of the increased volume of accidents across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has conducted studies to try and correlate the use of cell phones to accidents but there isn’t enough evidence to claim that cell phones are part of the problem. Cell phone use consists of checking email, texting, making phone calls, checking the calendar and even playing games while driving. Many states across the country have made it illegal to use a hand held cell phone while driving in any capacity.
States now require, if the driver so wishes to use their phone, a hands free device known as a Bluetooth headset. This Bluetooth headset connects to the cell phone via signal and is placed in the ear of the driver. It has a built in speaker and microphone and is crystal clear for speaking and hearing during a conversation. Most Bluetooth pieces are voice activated so the driver can say someone’s name from their phonebook and the phone will begin dialing automatically. For example: “Call Home.” The phone will then dial the driver’s home phone number without the driver having to fumble around with dialing or searching through the phonebook for the saved information.
Driving and talking or texting on a cell phone, although not directly proven to be a problem, can cause accidents as a result of a lack of concentration. In driver’s education students are always taught to avoid as many distractions as possible and to always keep two hands on the wheel. When talking or texting with a cell phone, one hand will not be on the wheel. When texting, a driver’s eyes are wandering from the phone to the road and back to the phone again. This increases the risk of having an accident or cutting someone off without realizing what is happening before it is too late.
In the United States there is no universal law banning the use of cell phones while driving but some states, cities and even the department of defense. The department of defense does not allow any of its employees to use hand held cell phone devices while driving company vehicles. The states that ban cell phone use in the United States completely are New York, New Jersey, California, Connecticut and Washington. The cities that ban cell phones while driving are Chicago, Illinois; Brooklyn, Ohio; Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM and the District of Columbia.
Drivers should avoid any and all distractions while on the roads that they possibly can and using a hands free cell phone device such as a Bluetooth headset is one way to go. It enables the driver to keep both hands on the wheel and, in states where hand held cell phone use is banned while driving, the driver will not incur any fines or penalties for being on the phone just as long as they avoid texting and checking email.
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