The National Safety Council has released a statement saying it is concerned about the risks of using a smart watch, such as the newly released Apple Watch, while driving.
Numerous studies have shown that drivers using cellphones significantly increase their risk of being involved in a crash. Smart watches, which have capabilities similar to smartphones, could be even riskier, according a study conducted in the United Kingdom.
Drivers wearing smart watches can call, text, email and surf the web, but the watch also vibrates when it receives a notification.
"That vibration could be very difficult to ignore; a natural impulse will be to look at our wrist," said the NSC, which is based in Itasca, Ill. "This could take a driver’s eyes off the road and mind off the drive — a recipe for disaster."
The NSC is urging everyone who purchases a smart watch to turn it off or remove it before driving. All calls can kill, it said, and no text, email or social media update is worth a life.
Photo: Reuters/Thomas Peter
Numerous studies have shown that drivers using cellphones significantly increase their risk of being involved in a crash. Smart watches, which have capabilities similar to smartphones, could be even riskier, according a study conducted in the United Kingdom.
Drivers wearing smart watches can call, text, email and surf the web, but the watch also vibrates when it receives a notification.
"That vibration could be very difficult to ignore; a natural impulse will be to look at our wrist," said the NSC, which is based in Itasca, Ill. "This could take a driver’s eyes off the road and mind off the drive — a recipe for disaster."
The NSC is urging everyone who purchases a smart watch to turn it off or remove it before driving. All calls can kill, it said, and no text, email or social media update is worth a life.
Photo: Reuters/Thomas Peter
