Many New Jersey drivers are well aware of the risks of texting while driving, especially after major public awareness campaigns and the passage of legislation to make handheld mobile use behind the wheel illegal. However, the appeal of incoming notifications while behind the wheel or stuck in traffic can be hard to deny, even when drivers know that distractions can lead to dangerous motor vehicle accidents. Some may wonder if the use of alternate devices other than handheld smartphones could increase the safety of texting while driving.
One University of Texas study examined the use of Google Glass while driving to see if sending and receiving texts could be safer when a handheld mobile phone is not involved. In many cases, car accidents are caused when a distracted driver takes their eyes and attention from the road to type out a response to a text on their phone. In this case, researchers had participants use a driving simulator while receiving and sending texts using either a traditional smartphone or a Google Glass wearable.
While the researchers found that the participants in the study were able to respond more quickly and efficiently using voice commands and were also less distracted, there was no net positive result. This is because the easier use of the wearable made drivers more likely than ever to text and message while driving, increasing their level of distraction and inattentiveness to the roadway. This means that there is still no technological option that makes driving and texting a safe option.
For people who have been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s dangerous distraction, the results can be devastating and long-lasting. People injured in a crash may benefit from consulting with a personal injury lawyer who can help them pursue compensation for physical, mental and financial damage caused by the collision.
