Ontario drivers may think that hands-free texting while driving is less dangerous than hands-on texting, but at least one study has demonstrated that this is not the case. A 2013 study suggested that hands-free texting actually takes more time than hands-on texting and that the driver tends to look away from the road with a similar frequency in order to check the accuracy of the voice transcription.
Other studies have suggested that while there is no conclusive evidence that talking on a cell phone is more distracting than talking with a passenger, all forms of distraction are more dangerous for novice drivers. Since younger drivers are generally both less experienced and tend to use their cell phones more, they are in greater danger than more experienced drivers of being involved in a car accident as a result of distracted driving.
The results of these studies were discussed in a report compiled by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, and that organization has recommended that hands-free texting be banned. The organization has also pointed out that many other activities can create dangerous distractions because humans are simply not cognitively equipped to successfully multitask.
An individual who is injured in an accident in which the responsible individual may have been texting while driving may wish to consult a lawyer. Injuries from car accidents can be expensive, and recovery may take some time. A successful lawsuit may provide compensation that covers medical expenses and lost wages among other costs.
It is not necessary for there to be criminal charges or a successful criminal case against a driver in order to win a civil lawsuit. Instead, it is necessary to prove the driver was negligent, and texting while driving might be considered negligent behavior.
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