Drivers: Think Hands-Free Phones Are Safer? They're Not, NSC Warns

According to an NSC survey, 80% of drivers mistakenly think that using a hands-free device is safer than a handheld phone. The council points to dozens of studies that show hands-free devices are no safer than their handheld counterparts because the brain is distracted by the cell phone conversation. Yet, 70% of respondents to the study who use hands-free devices said safety was the reason.

"While many drivers honestly believe they are making the safe choice by using a hands-free device, it's just not true," says NSC's David Teater. "The problem is the brain does not truly multitask. Just like you can't read a book and talk on the phone, you can't safely operate a vehicle and talk on the phone." He says it's not a surprise that drivers are confused, with many states banning handheld devices and many new cars being equipped with hands-free technology.

As part of its distracted driving awareness month campaign, NSC has developed an infographic that illustrates that "hands-free is not risk-free."


Provided by The National Safety Council