Using smartwatches like the recently launched Apple Watch could result in a serious accident or in certain cases land a person in jail, warns Institute of Advanced Motorists in a recent press release.
Although the press release was about using smartwatches in general, it highlighted Apple Watch in particular. As the smartwatches constantly alert users of incoming calls, texts and other app notifications, they tempt the user to take their eyes off the road to check the notifications thereby putting their lives and others’ lives at risk, says the release.
Its report also points out the results of a study conducted on road accidents between 2006 and 2010 revealing that use of mobile phones while driving caused as much as 1,960 accidents including about 110 fatal accidents.
The statement said that while there are legal hands-free devices that do not distract drivers much, smartwatches like Apple Watch keep notifying the user of texts, calls, health related statuses, and so on, and being able to keep track of these details from a wrist worn device will require users to use both hands leading to more distraction on driving that can “significantly impair driving performance” which has been the cause of several road accidents.
It also points out that enforcement on crashes could become difficult in some cases but the police has the power to seize a mobile device or any electronic device and check the recent activity that could have possible distracted the driver.
If found guilty, the individual will be given a three penalty points and a fine of £100 and the person might also end up in jail in serious cases in which the victim lost their life.
