Hands-free kits don't improve road safety

Posted on Wednesday, July 13 2005 @ 2:29 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

Governments push cell phone users to use hands-free kits in cars but a study of Australian drivers concludes that hands-free devices don't improve safety. The study claims that no matter how, making phone calls during driving fourfolds the risk to be involved in a serious crash.

The study, which is to appear in The British Medical Journal today, is the first of its kind to use actual crash data and cellphone records to show a link between talking on the phone and being seriously injured in an accident.

It is also the first to conclude definitively outside of a laboratory setting that holding a phone to the ear or talking through a hands-free device pose the same risks.

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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