- August 28, 2024
- Tucker Law
- Vehicle Accidents
Technology has advanced so much that a smartwatch is no longer a novelty. Almost everyone now owns a wearable computing device that doubles as a time-keeping device. These smartwatches have many functions that have seamlessly been integrated into our daily lives. With a smartwatch, you can answer phone calls from your mobile phone, get weather reports, do your daily exercises, compose and read email and text messages, listen to music, and even interact with a digital assistant. It keeps us connected, informed, and entertained. However, this constant use of smartwatches comes at a cost, especially when it involves activities that need our full attention, such as driving.
Just like smartphones, smartwatches are becoming potential and dangerous distractions for drivers. This blog post will explore the risks and dangers that smartwatches pose for drivers. They will be compared with mobile phone distractions, and we’ll discuss the laws in New York regarding these gadgets.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, particularly one using a smartwatch in New York, you can hold the offending driver responsible and file for compensation. The legal process can be long and overwhelming, but we will support you every step of the way. Reach out to us and let us help you navigate it with ease.
Why hire our car accident lawyers to help you?
At Tucker Lawyers, our team of experienced car accident attorneys is dedicated to protecting the rights of accident victims and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. Our attorneys have deep knowledge of the laws guarding distracted driving, ensuring that we can leverage the legal system effectively on your behalf.
We have a track record of successful case outcomes; the positive reviews we get from our clients can prove that.
We will work on your case tirelessly and fight for your rights. We know how insurance companies try to downsize payments or not pay at all, but we will not back down against them or the offending parties. If you need a team of lawyers to defend you, you can reach out to us. Contact us at (516) 399-2364.
What is distracted driving, and why is it dangerous?
Distracted driving is when a person drives a vehicle while engaged in another activity. Instead of being focused on driving, their attention is divided. They could be talking or texting on their phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in the vehicle, or fiddling with the stereo, entertainment, or navigation system. Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off driving.
The dangers of distracted driving cannot be over-emphasized. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2020 and 3,308 lives in 2022.
When a driver’s attention is not entirely focused on the road, their reaction time slows down, the ability to make safe driving decisions reduces, and the likelihood of missing critical events, objects, and signals increases. This can lead to severe accidents and injuries that can be fatal. As vehicles become more advanced with technology, keeping drivers focused on the road has become more challenging.
The three main types of distracted driving are:
- Visual (taking your eyes off the road)
- Manual (taking your hands off the wheel)
- Cognitive (taking your mind off driving).
Smartwatches have the potential to cause all these types of distractions at the same time. This makes them a significant concern for road safety.
Are smartwatches more distracting than mobile phones?
While mobile phones have always been the primary focus of distracted driving campaigns, smartwatches present a unique and potentially more dangerous form of distraction. Unlike mobile phones, which can be placed out of reach or turned off while driving, smartwatches are worn on the wrist, which makes them constantly accessible and tempting to check.
Smartwatches are designed to deliver notifications discreetly and efficiently. They will vibrate or make sounds to alert the user of incoming messages, emails, calls, and other notifications, which can urge the user to check the watch. To check the watch, the user might make a quick glance that can take their eyes off the road for crucial seconds. However, because it has a small screen and touch interface, the smartwatch will require more visual and manual effort for interaction compared to a mobile phone, which has a larger screen.
Although many studies have shown that even a glance at a smartwatch can be as distracting as looking at a phone, the cognitive load required to process the information on a small screen and the physical act of interacting with the tiny device can significantly impair driving performance much more than a mobile phone would. This is particularly concerning because many drivers underestimate the potential risks of smartwatch use. They consider it a less intrusive form of distraction compared to mobile phones.
The constant accessibility of smartwatches, combined with their multifunctional capabilities (such as receiving messages, tracking fitness, and even navigating), means that drivers might be tempted to interact with these devices more frequently and for more extended periods, which will increase the likelihood of distraction.
We will handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Are smartwatches covered under New York distracted driving laws?
New York State has some of the strictest distracted driving laws in the United States, mainly targeting the use of mobile phones and handheld electronic devices. The law prohibits all drivers from using handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, which includes talking on a handheld phone, texting, emailing, browsing the internet, and playing games. However, the legal status of smartwatches under these laws is somewhat ambiguous. While the law focuses on handheld devices, the interpretation can extend to any electronic device that diverts a driver’s attention. Since smartwatches are worn on the wrist and not held in the hand, there may be a legal grey area regarding their use while driving.
That being said, law enforcement agencies in New York and elsewhere are increasingly aware of the risks posed by smartwatches. Drivers caught using a smartwatch in a manner that distracts them from driving could still face penalties under existing distracted driving laws, especially if the behavior is deemed to impair driving performance. As smartwatch use grows, lawmakers will likely continue to update and clarify regulations to address the specific challenges posed by these devices.
Currently, if a smartwatch is being used to mirror the functions of a handheld device (such as texting or calling), it can be argued that the same rules should apply. However, enforcing such laws can be more challenging due to the discreet nature of smartwatches.
Has a distracted driver using a smartwatch injured you in a car accident? Let us help you!
Our team at Tucker Lawyers will work diligently to prove that the other driver’s distraction while using their smartwatch was the cause of the accident and that they should be held accountable for your injuries and damages. Don’t let the negligence of a distracted driver disrupt your life; let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us now at (516) 399-2364 to learn how we can help you.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]