Distracted driving is a major contributor to fatal crashes in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Transportation reports that in 2021 over 3,500 people lost their lives in distracted driving car crashes.
One major distraction that too many motorists engage in while driving is cell phone use. Even though it is against Georgia law to hold a cell phone while driving, some motorists still take this risk, to the detriment of others on the road.
Responsible drivers might look for options that let them make a phone call or send a text message without resorting to physically handling their cellphone. Infotainment systems may seem like the answer to the texting and driving problem, but are they safer than cell phones?
Are infotainment systems safer than cell phones?
Using a handheld cell phone while driving is a distraction, as it takes your complete physical and mental attention off the road. Some might say infotainment systems in newer vehicles eliminate the danger of cellphone use while driving, because they perform many of the functions of a cellphone from the vehicle itself.
However, infotainment systems can be just as distracting as a cell phone. Infotainment systems operate off a touch screen, rather than physical knobs and buttons. This means a motorist must take their eyes off the road and their hands off the steering wheel to operate an infotainment system. This is a major distraction that could lead to a car crash.
Perhaps the simplest answer to the texting and driving problem is simply to put the cell phone down while driving. Put the phone on silent and place it in the back seat or stash it in a purse or backpack where you cannot reach it. This removes the distraction, allowing you to drive with your full attention to the task at hand.