By B. L. Johnson
Copyright jalopnik
Considering the high cost of fines in some states, no one wants to get pulled over for distracted driving. Of course, the easiest way to avoid that is to put the phone down. Use the hands-free features if you have to make a call or play a song from your Spotify list. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are options in most newer cars, though they are not completely without risk.
What if you’re just using Google Maps? Could you get pulled over for something harmless like that? You can get a ticket for handling your phone for any reason other than emergencies in a hands-free state. And using a GPS app isn’t really so “harmless”. We’ve established how much more dangerous the roads are when people are allowed to hold their phone while driving. But do you know which app drivers use the most behind the wheel? That’s right, it’s their GPS. And, when you think about it, why would it be any less distracting to tap an address into Apple Maps than to type out a brief text? So, pull over before searching for the nearest Burger King or use the voice feature. Don’t mute the app just because you want to listen to music. You’ll also want to mount the phone in a spot where you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.
Make sure to check the laws in your state, too, since they vary from state to state. Some states have stricter restrictions, you may need to know if you’re a novice driver. But really, should we need a law to make us drive safely? Wherever you are, keep your eyes on the road and the phone out of your hands.
