Is answering the phone on hands-free just as dangerous?

Unfortunately, hands-free is not risk-free, warns the National Safety Council. Being on the phone hands-free, for example, by putting a phone call on loudspeaker is as equally distracting. To stay the safest you can whilst driving, you need to have your mind on driving, your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Distractions are a main cause of fatal crashes, with up to 94% of crashes caused by driver error. Drive error can result from not being entirely focused on driving and reacting to the road. A phone call, regardless of whether your hand is holding the phone, uses up your cognitive capacity and can defer concentration to the conversation, instead of what is happening on the road.

Several deaths each year still occur from a driver having a conversation on a hands-free speaker. It is entirely false that going hands-free is similar to having a passenger in the car. This is because a person on the other end of a phone call cannot see what you are dealing with in the road. They could continue to talk at you, despite a dangerous situation forming. Whereas, a passenger can see what is going on on the road, meaning they can stop talking to stop distracting you, when a drive requires a complex action or a reaction. A passenger can also help you by offering advice or a solution.

The importance of health and safety knowledge on the road is critical. Ensure your drivers are fully trained and prepared for whatever may come their way, with our Health and Safety courses at Ridgeway Training. What could be more important than increasing the chance of safety for your employees? Call us today to book your health and safety course.

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