JP
Since recent California legislation went into effect that bans talking on cell phones while driving, the sale of Bluetooth headsets has significantly increased. And while it’s reassuring that motorists are actually abiding by the law, I’m not sure that Bluetooth will alleviate the problem that is cell phone-yacking drivers swerving all over the road.
Sure Bluetooth makes it so your hands are free so both can be on the wheel, but what about your mind? When you’re chatting it up, you certainly won’t be paying attention to the road. That I’m sure of.
When you talk on the phone with someone while you’re at home, let’s say, are you paying attention to what’s in front of you? No. You most likely aren’t even aware of what’s in front of you as you get lost in the conversation. The same thing can happen when you’re on the road. And that’s why talking and driving, headset or no headset is bound to cause a lot of bad driving, period.
But then that calls into question several other factors as well. Is a huge sound system in your car distracting, then, too? Books on tape? Conversation with a passenger? It’s hard to gauge, really, as one person’s entertainment could be another’s complete and total crash-inducing distraction.
One thing is for certain, though. I will still get cut off by people on their cell phones. Only now, I won’t be able to tell if they’re on the phone or not. They will no longer be called “crazy cell phone drivers.” Instead, they’ll be the “crazy talk to themselves drivers.” It’s a shame because I won’t be able to steer clear of them, either.
That’s why I want to hear what you think. Do you think the Bluetooth headset craze will fix the nuisance of bad driving caused by cell phones or will it merely put to rest the worst offenders? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
[Image from AutoSpies]
6 Responses to “Curse of the Bluetooth Headset”
ProfessionalGun August 8, 2008
Brenda, what I’m tired of is people complaining about technology designed to make things better. Sure, it may not be a perfect solution (or a solution at all), but many of these advancements are undoubtedly a step in the right direction. So yes, I’m all for the bluetooth headset “curse”. It’s keeping peoples eyes on the road and hands on the wheel – and every little bit helps.
Also keep in mind that one person’s entertainment could be exactly what chills them out on the road. I know I have a tendency toward road-rage, as many do. Give me a little talk radio or an audio book and I’m suddenly happy to sit in traffic. . . far less likely to yell obscenities inside my car when someone cuts me off or drives slow in the fast lane. I know you’re playing devil’s advocate here – but to what end? A life without comfort and convenience?
By the way . . . if cell phone road talkers really get on your nerves, I recommend NPR’s This American Life while you drive. It’ll keep you centered. :)
-1Brenda Stokes August 8, 2008
I understand what you mean, ProfessionalGun. But I guess what I wanted to point out is that studies show it’s the actual talking on the phone part that causes bad driving, not the one hand on the wheel part. I agree, we need comfort and convenience and I think Bluetooth headsets are useful things. They certainly make it so you’re not fiddling with your phone in the car, and that’s a good thing. But people will still get into accidents because of cell phone talking.
And thanks for the NPR tip. =)
NeutralCharlie August 8, 2008
I took a safety driving class to be able to drive a work truck a couple years ago and the instructor at the time said that other people in the car are the biggest distraction and the cause of a high number of accidents. Now those same distractions are just not sitting in the seat next to us.
-1There has to be some support for it since as a new teenage driver you cannot have another passenger in the car who is not over 25 for the first 6 months. They must believe it cuts down on the number of accidents.
Cahya August 9, 2008
An innovative technology but I’m afraid it’s can make an accident.
NeutralNotAFan August 9, 2008
So much opinion articles recently on this site.
+1Can we cut that a bit and get more actually news articles?
If i wanted opinions I’d watch fox news.
wrecluse August 11, 2008
I live in California and can say that people still talk in there cars on cell phones. Personally I think the dialing or finding the contact on the phone is more dangerous than the talking. I also text more while driving than I did before. I feel this law will only make things worse. Are these laws in our best interest or is it the insurance companies?
+1