Drivers With Cell Phones Tend To Ignore Hands-Free Laws

A study of 902 cell phone user-drivers in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York by Harris Interactive found that just 14% use hands-free gear while driving.

By W. David Gardner
InformationWeek
October 2, 2007 11:18 AM

A survey of drivers with mobile phones in states with hands-free driving laws has found the respondents generally say they favor the laws. But in practice those drivers tend not to follow the laws and hold handsets to their ears while driving.

In a study of 902 cell phone user-drivers in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, states that outlaw the use of cell phones while driving, Harris Interactive found that 72% of them have a hands-free product, but 38% of the time they use their hand-held phones. Just 14% use hands-free gear while driving.

Yet, 77% of the drivers say they support the hands-free driving laws.

The survey was commissioned by Parrot, a maker of hands-free car kits, which markets a line of Bluetooth-based car kits. "The reality is that the majority of tri-state drivers are still using their hand-held cell phones because they don't perceive that the law applies to them," said Parrot president and chief operating officer Ed Valdez in a statement.

"While many New York tri-state area drivers admit to having hands-free solutions, they're not consistently using them," Valdez continued. "According to the study, that's because the majority are using headsets and earbuds that drivers say are uncomfortable and difficult to use."

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