Built-In Distraction: 'Hang Up and Drive' Gets More Difficult

It's easy to "hang up and drive" when you don't have the tools to tempt you — but when you do, it's easy to justify using them.

Let's take a look at how ubiquitous phones have become to driving. You may no longer use them to talk, but they still tells you where to go, and how. Pandora, iTunes, Amazon Music? Check. GPS and maps? Check.

Not only are phones tempting to use when we're on the road, but the technology and convenience they provide drivers as technology creeps further into vehicles makes putting them away that much harder.

When my husband purchased a new car this year, the first amenity the salesperson showed us was how to pair the smartphone with the car. It it was the cornerstone of the interactive stereo technology, and even the phone's GPS program was available via Bluetooth. Guess where that put my smartphone? Not in my purse.

When I drove the new car, I paired the phone before putting the car into traffic. Inevitably, however, I heard a song I wanted to skip. Back when changing the radio station or skipping a CD track was a single button on the dashboard, I could keep my eyes on the road and still filter my music easily and relatively safely. Now, however, that same act may involve multiple touches of the smartphone, which itself can be anywhere: on your lap, in the cup-holder, accidentally on the floor...

Auto makers may try to improve safety by installing phone and stereo function buttons on steering wheels, but drivers must have newer cars with that technology — and many of my family members, myself included, do not have new-enough cars for that.

In my 10-year-old car, I have an after-market device: an arm that holds the phone in place below the dashboard. It has no interface, no convenient buttons. If I want to listen to music, or change the music playing, I have to access the program on the phone. That requires me to take my eyes off the road.

I can rationalize that it's a quick fix, or it won't be dangerous to accomplish. Maybe I don't see other vehicles on the road so I think no one else will be affected. Perhaps I'm stopped at a red light, so that means I'm not moving so that makes it safe. Juicy justifications, all: multiple taps and swipes of the phone are anything but quick, I'm never completely alone on the road, and I must remain alert for drivers at stoplights.

Smartphones may offer hands-free GPS service, but that may not even be a reasonable option, considering that multi-tasking while operating a multi-ton vehicle is ill-advised under the best of circumstances, even with a skilled driver.

More importantly, when a text or call comes in and the phone is perched next to my hand, it's difficult to resist the impulse to read the screen or answer the phone (which, again, involves multiple keystrokes or swipes).

I am not alone. When I'm behind the wheel, I see many drivers, including professionals, operating their smartphones. If I see a car swerve into another lane, inexplicably slow down or stay stopped at a light after it turns green, I see the driver's head jerk up from her or his hand or lap in surprise.

How do we make our roads as safe as possible while using modern technology — or is that even possible?

When It's More Than a Tootle

The first rule of driving is this: drive safely. If you think you can maneuver safely in traffic, do so. Otherwise, sit still or step out from behind the steering wheel. Our reflexes and skills vary, and drivers must understand and accommodate that when they operate their own vehicles.

Too many drivers ignore that rule, or they expect other drivers to have their "skill" or daring attitude. They try to encourage hesitant drivers with the horn.

Now, sometimes, a tootle of the horn is what you need: you are looking at something other than your path and the green light has been burning daylight for a good five or more seconds. A short "wake-up" beep does the trick: drivers look up, gasp, engage the car and wave (all fingers!) at the driver who alerted them. It happens to everyone, amateurs and pros alike.

Some days, it's just a tootle and both drivers are civil. Alas, too often lately are drivers anything but. Recently, an acquaintance died after an encounter with a fellow driver, who is accused of following him into a parking lot and committing violence against him. Shocking — but not really.

I had a front seat to road rage about a decade ago. I don't remember if my driver didn't accelerate quickly enough, or someone changed lanes too closely. What I do remember is the rude gesture of my driver. I do remember the furious encounter after the other driver followed my car to its destination. Both drivers dwarfed me in size, so I couldn't safely separate them. I was frightened and furious, and I walked away from the screaming drivers.

I was lucky. I got out with my life. So did my driver. Our friendship, however, was a victim of this incident; my driver didn't understand the danger his actions posed.

This morning, I was on the first of two major roads I travel to work. I had to turn left across oncoming traffic, and I saw a gap in traffic. Could I cross safely? I wasn't sure, so I waited. I heard a long honk, not a tootle. I kept waiting. Five seconds later, the gap was unmistakably safe, so I proceeded — and wondered if the angry honker would pursue me to "teach me a lesson."

Thankfully, no one followed me. Today I was lucky. Tomorrow, my caution may be someone else's flashpoint. Let's hope you and I never find out.