Millions of people have smartwatches in this country, and that number is expected to continue to rise. What many people don’t realize is that these are quickly becoming a bigger distraction for drivers than even smartphones.
Many states don’t have laws that specifically address smartwatches, so it’s often up to police officers to interpret what’s going on and how the law applies. One thing’s for certain – distracted driving is dangerous driving. Because of this, all drivers should avoid distractions.
What’s so dangerous about smartwatches?
One study compared how drivers handled alerts from a smartphone, smartwatch, and voice alert. The results showed that drivers who were dealing with a smartwatch alert had a less focused gaze than those who were dealing with other types of alerts. Smartphones came in second and voice alerts were considered the safest option of all.
Drivers who are distracted, whether by a smartwatch or something else, have an increased reaction time to hazards on the roads. Anyone who’s operating a motor vehicle should ensure that they’re giving their full attention to the roadway so that they don’t cause a crash that injures an innocent person. Even if you’re driving safely and giving the road the attention it needs, you might still be struck by another driver who isn’t doing the same thing.
Anyone who’s struck by a distracted driver should ensure they get the care they need for any injuries they suffer. Seeking compensation for any financial damages might also be in order. Ohio laws set specific time limits for getting these cases filed. It’s imperative that you get your case filed before that time limit expires.