Utilizing Hands-free Options for Your Phone for Safer Commutes

Make driving safe again
Your cell phone sounds. Who’s calling? Is it important? What if they need something?

It’s tempting to glance down for a split second, but if you glance down at the wrong time, it could cost you. For many, this possibility has been very real. Cell phone use is the current leading cause of crashes for teen drivers. The probability of a car crash quadruples when the driver is using a cell phone. In response, many states have outlawed cell phone usage while driving.

Here’s the breakdown:
• In 17 states including Washington D.C., all drivers are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones while driving. This is enforced by police officers.

• In 39 states, novice drivers are banned from using cell phones while driving.

• In 21 states, school bus drivers aren’t allowed to use cell phones while driving.

• In 48 states, text messaging is banned for all drivers.

In Michigan, you’re not off the hook. While talking on your cell phone is legal, if you’re involved with an accident, you could be charged with reckless driving. Speaking on a cell phone is known to make drivers do careless things when distracted. Sometimes it’s just a matter of time.

Texting in Michigan is definitely illegal. $100 for the first violation, and $200 after that. Get caught texting in Michigan three times? That’s another $500. It makes financial sense to keep your hands off your phone and $800 in your pocket.

That’s why it’s been a welcome change to bring hands-free technology into vehicles. That way, drivers don’t have to use their hands or avert their eyes from the road to communicate.

Using technology to advance safety
Studies have shown that drivers get distracted while talking and texting on their cell phones. Distracted driving can lead to careless actions, and worse. Sometimes it’s a matter of time on the road.

That’s why new technologies from car makers have been introduced. Technology is being used by software engineers to figure out solutions so that you don’t have to miss a call to be safe.

How does technology in newer car models make hands-free calling and texting easier and safer?

Old habits die hard
It’s hard to break old habits, and car designers know this. Many of us have grown up on smartphones and have fully integrated them into our lives. As a result, car interior features like touchscreens, easy wired connections and Bluetooth are becoming more common across the board in vehicles.

New features that 2019 models include
Many vehicles now come with technology that allows you to talk and text hands-free. By connecting your smartphone to your vehicle’s USB port, you can use your radio interface like the interface of your phone. Both Apple and Android phones have connection capabilities:

Apple CarPlay™
Connect your iPhone to Apple CarPlay™. Enjoy hands-free calling and texting, access music and apps, predictive navigation, and Siri® voice control in the car!

Android Auto™.
With Android Auto™, you can use your Android™ smartphone to make calls and send texts via voice command, use Google Maps™, and access apps.

Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ apps use your smartphone cellular data service. Standard rates apply.

Fun (and practical) things you can do with the technology:
• Take incoming calls
• Listen to incoming texts
• Place calls
• Send texts via voice command
• Listen to voicemail
• Request driving directions
• Listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks
• Get weather updates

A final word
Tip: It’s incredible what technology can do to improve our lives and make it safer. But, while hands-free operation for talking and texting is immensely safer, if you’re in stressful traffic and need to concentrate on the road fully, let the person you’re talking with know so you can resume the call when traffic isn’t as intense.

Shop Thelen
At Thelen Auto, we have a wide selection of cars, trucks, and vans loaded with the latest tech. If you have a busy lifestyle and need to take incoming calls and texts while you’re on the go, check out our full selection!

Thelen Brands Compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
• Audi
• Chrysler
• Dodge
• Honda
• Jeep
• Kia
• Mazda
• RAM
• Subaru
• Volkswagen

Contact us
Are you in the market for a vehicle that allows you to use technology hands-free? Stop by Thelen to take a test drive today and fall in love with a new car.

Resources
https://www.thelenchryslerjeepdodge.com/

https://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicle/sorento/2019/technology

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-car-companies-are-combatting-texting-while-driving_us_55771263e4b0317a2afd3fdc

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/cell-phones-driving-california-law-29709.html

https://www.drivinglaws.org/detroit.php

https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/Distracted-Driving

https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/DistractedDrivingLawChart_Jun18.pdf

https://www.kia.com/us/en/content/technology/uvo/features/apple-carplay

https://www.kia.com/us/en/content/technology/uvo/features/android-auto

https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/available-models/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/cars-with-android-auto/

Tags: cell phone, driving, hands-free
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