Many drivers underestimate the danger

Mobile phones at the wheel are a serious problem, but even smartwatches on the wrist can quickly distract drivers. Results of a new survey show that the danger of wearables in cars is still underestimated.

Survey: danger of smartwatches at the wheel underestimated

In the UK, 2,000 smartwatch owners were surveyed about their use of wearables while driving. The results make it clear that the Danger from distraction further underestimated will. 18 percent of respondents said they don’t ignore text messages and notifications when they should be fully focused on driving. Smartwatches are also used while driving to accept or reject calls.

According to the survey, 14 percent do not shy away from driving a car to send a message via the smartwatch on the wrist. The music selection is also often done via the smartwatch, for example to switch to the next song. One in ten respondents also uses the smartwatch for navigation and looks at the small screen.

There are big differences depending on age. A full 58 percent of people under the age of 34 said they use their smartwatch while driving. 43 percent are between the ages of 35 and 54. Older smartwatch users aged 55 and over their safety apparently more important, here the figure is 7 percent (source: iMore).

You should know this before buying a smartwatch:

Use smartwatch while driving: risk of a fine

In the German road traffic regulations Smartwatches are not explicitly mentioned, but generally regarded as “electronic device (for) communication, information or organization”. As with cell phones, looking at the smartwatch for a long time or writing a message while driving is not permitted. A traffic accident caused in this way threatens a month’s driving ban, two points in Flensburg and a fine of 200 euros.