The obvious answer is to not use the phone while driving, sounds easy when suggested on paper, but many campaigns from government and local authorities seem to fail. The message is probably heard loud and clear at the time, but when deciding whether or not to take the call it seems to be forgotten quickly. Does this show the awareness campaign if failing or is there a deeper rooted problem within society?
The saturation of mobile phones in the UK is increasing year upon year, this trend has lead us to believing we need our phones to feel in “contact” with our social group or families, and often we feel lost without it. I know I do. Its perhaps this feeling of urgency that encourages us to answer even when we know we shouldn't!!! The problem stretches far and wide, Its likely that you'll see up to or more than 30% of road users making a call, if you were to sit and count vehicles passing by on any major local road.
One way to negate the problem of phone driving isn't to stop drivers using the phone, but to make the experience safer and more convenient for them. Its fairly obvious to me that if the campaigns aren't working perhaps we should try a new strategy!
Bluetooth car kits may provide the answer? Bluetooth car kits pair with your mobile phone to provide a wireless connection which allows you to answer the phone if and when your driving. The bluetooth kit is safer than physically answering and holding the mobile device, allowing you to drive with both hands available.
There's a counter argument that the act of engaging in conversation distracts the mind from that task at hand. However this is somewhat of a null point as any number of factors may cause distractions. Like talking to passengers, listening to a radio station, checking on the kids etc. Is talking on the phone via bluetooth more hazardous than talking to a friend in the passenger seat?
Ultimately the responsibility lies with the driver, its down to him/her to gauge whether they are capable of performing both acts, however its fair to say the use of bluetooth certainly increases the safety of all road users at least.