In short
A phone takes away visual, manual and mental attention. Set the navigation and music before leaving, turn on driving mode, and for a message, call or search stop in a safe place; hands-free does not remove cognitive distraction.
Three kinds of distraction can appear at once
Your eyes go to the screen, your hand leaves the wheel and your thoughts leave the traffic. Even a voice conversation can take up mental capacity needed to judge a pedestrian, an intersection or a change in speed.
The EU observatory reports harmful effects of phone use in both hand-held and hands-free forms.
A short message is not a short risk
Reading starts before you touch the screen, and your thoughts stay on the content after you put the phone down. In that time the vehicle covers a long distance.
A notification creates a sense of urgency, but most messages can wait until the next safe stop.
Set up your phone so it demands less
Enter the destination, choose the music and connect the charger before setting off. Turn on an automatic reply or a mode that silences notifications while driving.
Position the device so navigation is visible without blocking your view, but do not adjust it while the vehicle is moving.
A passenger can take over the digital work
Ask a passenger to change the route, answer a call or find a place to stop. If you are alone, stop where it is permitted and safe.
A system in the car should reduce the workload, not become one more screen that needs operating.
Key points
Three things to remember
- 01
Set the route before starting the vehicle.
- 02
Hands-free reduces manual distraction, but it does not remove mental distraction.
- 03
If the task is important, stop safely.
FAQ
Straight answers
Is hands-free completely safe?
No. It frees your hands, but a conversation can still pull away your mental attention.
Can I change the route at a traffic light?
The rules depend on the regulations, but the safe habit is to make adjustments before leaving or when the vehicle is properly stopped out of the traffic flow.
What if work keeps calling me?
Set up a clear automatic reply saying you are driving and will get back once you stop. Organizing your calls is part of a safe plan.
Sources and further reading
This article is informational. Check regulations, conditions and changing figures before a specific procedure.
