Is it Safe to Drive And Talk on a Hands-Free Phone System?

Summary of Article: An exhaustive study has just come out about voice activated phones in cars and whether they are safe to use while driving. Car makers are greatly in favor of such systems because they turn high profits -- drivers are increasingly wanting them. These new systems not only allow drivers to make phone calls but to verbally voice commands enabling them to text, email and post on Facebook pages. Car companies say these new technologies are safe because they are hands-free. However, this new study has found that these new technologies are actually quite dangerous. They make drivers too distracted and focused on using the technology--even while they are keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road; the drivers are more likely to have slower reaction times and slower to process things happening on the road. Also, when comparing drivers using these technologies to a driver listening to a book on CD or speaking to a passenger, drivers performed far worse. for instance, they were less likely to look for pedestrians crossing a street.

Discussion with Kids:

• Explain article
• Ask kids: have you ever seen anyone drive while talking on a cellphone? While texting? While talking on a hands-free technology? Have you seen anyone doing these things while stopped at a stop light or at the curb? What's the difference? (More distracted, less safe while driving). 
• What can happen if a driver is distracted and why? (Accident b/c not paying attention)
• Why are scientists worried about these new systems that lets drivers send emails and text messages through voice? Why do car companies want these new technologies? 
• If you were the government and could make rules about what is allowed in cars (government can make rules that impact public safety), what law would you make in light of this new study? 
• The next time you are driving, try to count how many drivers you see that are talking on cell phones or texting. What number did you come up with? 
• When you can drive, what will you do to make sure you are a safe driver?