Definition of hands-free driving
Hands-free driving entails the use of hands-free equipment to communicate while driving (Kiesbye, 2011). The policy of hands-free driving was introduced in various states in the United States to curb increased road carnages (Stafford, 2013). However, hands-free driving is an issue that has been concentrated to public drivers and new inexperienced drivers; nevertheless this habit does not seem to bother many experienced and private drivers (Espejo, 2015). For example, school bus drivers, and street cab drivers are not allowed to engage in the use of any form of handheld devices with students in the bus (Houghton, 2014). Teenagers are also deemed inexperienced drivers and are also not allowed to use mobile phones when driving. Research shows that most deaths resulting from distracted driving are caused by teenagers who were texting while driving.
In this regard, hands-free driving should not only be made compulsory in every state in the United States, but should also become a federal requirement, which would stop unnecessary and reckless deaths (Kiesbye, 2011). Legislators in Cities such as San Marcos are making an extra step to ban the use of hands-free devices in vehicles, and further reduce the occurrence of accidents due to driver distraction. Principally, hands-free driving was initially legislated to work in two approaches (Mooney, 2015). First, a conviction for the crime of distracted driving was due to a secondary offence. For example, a drunk driver could further be charged for texting while driving (Stafford, 2013). Conversely, the conviction was possible as a primary offence, where an individual was found using a handheld device while driving.
However, the division of the offense into two categories was found to be ineffective, and hence subsequent convictions were scrapped out, and distracted driving was currently charged (Stafford, 2013). The government of United States also came up with strategies to ensure that hands-free driving was adopted by all states (Kiesbye, 2011). Government Grants are usually provided to states which have embraced the ban on handheld devices while driving. States which cannot legislate on the prohibition of handheld devices on drivers do not get such grants from the government.
Historical Information on Hands-Free Driving
Apparently, the marvels of technological advancements have brought addictive handheld devices, which can be used almost in all life processes (Kiesbye, 2011). An example of handheld devices includes mobile phones, which have found their haven in the transport sector, and drivers recklessly use the handheld devices that lead to fatalities on roads. Therefore, hands-free driving has become a basis of many political debates, as its applicability is subject to constant reviews (Houghton, 2014). The number of deaths and injuries resulting from distracted driving has increased drastically over the past decade (Espejo, 2015). Thus, local authorities where such deaths are high have devised policies to curb distracted driving in their respective states.
Moreover, distracted driving has caused more harm than good, especially to families (Kiesbye, 2011). Distracted driving has caused many deaths, and left families grieving over their loved ones. Trauma is also a common effect on families who have lost their kin to distracted driving. Additionally, most deaths associated with distracted driving often befall inexperienced teenagers, trying to show off their new driving skills to the social media (Espejo, 2015). Individuals who escape death usually find themselves with lifelong scars from the ordeal (Horrey, Wickens & Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2004). Hence, the current policy in most states and cities where distracted driving is a serious offence heavily fine offenders. Police officers give out warning tickets, and sometimes citations to distracted drivers.
However, hands-free driving has not provided a reputable remedy to distracted driving, as some individuals still cause accidents while on hands-free devices; especially navigation devices (Ray, 2011). Some states have even tried to ban the use of handheld devices in motor vehicles entirely, even when those devices are attached to the vehicle itself. Thus, for the Hands-free driving to be effective, the issue should be made of federal concern and hefty penalties to be issued to offenders (Kiesbye, 2011).
Consequently, in response to the raising accident levels resulting from distracted driving, the city of San Marcos, Texas, imposed laws against distracted driving (Houghton, 2014). Drivers in San Marcos city have been banned from the use of handheld devices in vehicles, and even when riding bicycles. It is thus mandatory for all vehicles in San Marcos to be fixed with hands-free equipment, to guarantee that handheld devices are not usable while driving (Ray, 2011). However, handheld devices can be used in a motor vehicle on rare occasions. For example, when a car is stationary, drivers are allowed the privilege to use mobile phones. Furthermore, emergency calls cannot make a driver eligible for fines (Kiesbye, 2011). The San Marcos City’s Act prohibits activities related to usage of handheld devices, such as sending emails on the phone, texting, sending multimedia messages, and gaming while driving. Researchers have attributed the distracting caused by handheld devices to the shift in attention from the driving wheel to the device, which causes poor judgment (Mooney, 2015).
Furthermore, San Marcos City has been on the move to ban completely the use of handheld devices when driving Nunes, & Recarte, (2002), on the basis that some new and inexperienced drivers can still be distracted by the use of hands-free devices (Stafford, 2013).
References
Espejo, R. (2015). Cell phones and driving. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning.
Horrey, W. J., Wickens, C. D., & Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. (January 01, 2004). Cell phones and driving performance: A meta-analysis. Hfes 2004: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting: September 20-24, 2004, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2304-2308
Houghton, S. C. (2014). Cell phones and distracted driving: Selected research. New York : Nova Publishers.
Kiesbye, S. (2011). Cell phones and driving. Farmington Hills, Mich: Greenhaven Press.
Mooney, C. (2015). Distracted driving. Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press.
Nunes, L., & Recarte, M. A. (January 01, 2002). Cognitive demands of a hands-free phone conversation while driving. Transportation Research. Part F, Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 2, 133-144.
Ray, L. (January 01, 2011). Hands-Free Driving. Ontario Dentist, 88, 7, 39
Stafford, R. M. (2013). Hands-free Mama: A guide to putting down the phone, burning the to-do list, and letting go of perfection grasp what really matters!
