The launch of smartwatches has introduced the new concept of answering calls and messaging on your wrist itself. However, smartwatches might soon prove to be a threat to safe driving.
Brands like Apple, LG, Spice, Motorola, Adidas have recently launched their smartwatches with several unique features and are trying to create a crave for wearables all over the world. Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) stated that the smartwatches can significantly impair driving performance – being a major cause for distraction and road accidents. While smartwatches seem fancy and a new trend for this generation, it may be the cause of distraction while driving.
A sudden vibration on your wrist may move your attention from the traffic and check for notifications that just appeared on the smartwatch. The smartwatch may tempt drivers to put their hands off the wheel, which may result in unexpected accidents. Auto Express reported that the Department for Transport has decided to impose a penalty of £100 on the use of smartphones and smartwatches while driving.
Also Read: Texting while driving: Not a smart idea
According to a survey conducted by IAM simulator, ‘Smartphone use between 2006 and 2010 found distraction from a mobile phone was a contributory factor in 1,960 road accidents which resulted in injuries; this figure includes 110 fatal accidents’. Similarly, if people constantly start using smartwatches while driving, there’s a higher possibility of drivers’ performance to significantly get impaired.
