You’ve probably heard about the growing number of states trying to ban the use of handheld cell phones for drivers behind the wheel. But your Mercedes-Benz dealers want to bring your attention to an entirely new movement going on right now. The National Safety Council wants to ban the use of hands-free cell phones when you’re driving, too. The rationale is that you are more likely to lose your focus and get into an accident when talking even though both hands are on the wheel.
“Studies show that driving while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a four times greater risk of a crash,” said Janet Froetscher, CEO of the NSC. That includes people talking on Bluetooth and other hands-free devices. “When you’re on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, your head is in the call, and not on your driving,” she explained.
According to the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis, cell phone conversations account for about six percent of crashes each year. That might not seem like a large percentage, but it “equals 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths.” Try telling those 2,600 families that a six percent contribution doesn’t make much difference in the overall perspective.
You may want to call all your friends when you’re on your way home from buying a new car from your Lawrenceville, NJ Mercedes-Benz dealer. However, suppress that urge and wait until you get home. It’s not worth the risk to try it when you’re behind the wheel.
