{"id":5557,"date":"2021-06-01T11:33:52","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T11:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1355348"},"modified":"2021-06-01T11:33:52","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T11:33:52","slug":"smartwatches-distract-drivers-more-than-phones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=5557","title":{"rendered":"Smartwatches distract drivers more than phones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An estimated 73.4 million people will be using wearable technologies<\/a> in the United States by 2022. Wearables are smart electronics that can be worn on different parts of the body. The most popular smart device is the smartwatch.<\/p>\n

An important characteristic of wearable technology is that they are easy to acquire and thus they can be used almost anywhere. This convenience and adaptability means that smartwatches are used in a variety of circumstances, including while driving a car. Safety while using a smartwatch use is an issue for both smartwatch users and those around them.<\/p>\n

One in six Americans<\/a> owns a smartwatch that they use at least once a month. According to the International Data Corporation, a technology marketing and research company, smartwatches will comprise 70.2 per cent of all wearable technology by 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Distracted driving<\/h2>\n

Reduced reaction times and driver distraction<\/a> contribute to traffic accidents. Recent research found that when drivers had conversations on their devices \u2014 whether handheld or hands-free \u2014 reaction times increased, and a driver\u2019s ability to assess and react to a problem decreased<\/a>. In short, it\u2019s dangerous to use a smartwatch while driving.<\/p>\n

Transport Canada refers to this as distracted driving<\/a>: \u201cWhen a driver\u2019s attention is taken away from the driving task because they are focused on something else.\u201d<\/p>\n

When a driver is distracted, their performance, as well as their full awareness of problems on the road, are not optimal. Distracted drivers are slower to become aware of safety concerns and understand how to resolve the problem and they cannot physically respond quickly. A distracted driver\u2019s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely is impaired; they may not even be aware of a problem, or that they are distracted at all.<\/p>\n

Driving distractions are not limited to problems outside of a motor vehicle. Transport Canada indicates that a distraction may take the form of texting, talking on the phone or to passengers, eating or drinking or using an entertainment or navigation system<\/a>. Using a hands-free electronic device<\/a> is four times more distracting than speaking to an adult passenger.<\/p>\n

Distracted driving laws<\/h2>\n

In Canada, distracted driving contributed to 21 per cent of accidents involving a death and 27 per cent of accidents that involved serious injuries. In the U.S., in 2017 alone, 3,166 people were killed on roads due to distracted driving<\/a>. Over 90 per cent of road accidents happen due to human error<\/a> \u2014 these accidents can be prevented.<\/p>\n

Most U.S. states have laws that prohibit distracted driving: the majority of states prohibit a driver from talking on a mobile phone or texting while they are driving. Smartwatches are often not a part of this restriction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To change laws so that the use of smartwatches is prohibited or restricted, research needs to show how these technologies distract drivers.<\/p>\n