Hands Free Not Synonymous with Accident Free/Megan McClendon

As most California drivers know, as of July 1, 2008, a law will go into effect requiring that drivers use a hands free device of some kind to talk on their cell phones while driving. If caught with a cell phone to one’s ear, a driver will face a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 fines thereafter. California is one of the first states to implement such legislation though 95 other bills in 28 others states are currently being considered.

Despite this step, some research suggests that this will not improve the high rates of car accidents associated with cell phone use while driving. Many argue that it is not the use of one hand or two, but where the driver’s mind is that does or does not cause problems when driving.

While most studies out there argue that cell phone use, even with a hands free device, impairs a driver as if he had a blood alcohol level of .08, Pepperdine’s own, Professor James Prieger, disagrees. Prieger counters studies that say drivers actually perform better while drunk than when on a cell phone by positing that if drivers are truly honest with themselves, they will acknowledge that their driving with or without a cell phone is no riskier.

Even with Prieger’s research, the question remains whether this California legislation will actually do anything to reduce the rates of cell phone related car accidents. It remains to be seen. However, come July, we are likely to begin to see answers to these questions.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-distract25mar25,1,105874.story