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I don’t care how useful they are, I don’t want a hands free cradle in the car.
I am talking about the thing that attaches to the dashboard or side of the windscreen that you put your phone into so that you can operate “hands free” with you phone more easily. I am driving now and it’s definitely given me some freedom and independence that didn’t know I needed but one thing everyone keeps trying to get me to get is a hands-free stand to put my phone on. The main reason for this is because I have absolutely no sense of direction whatsoever and when I start to venture further out, I will need to use a satnav. The issue they are having is that I keep saying no, and I will tell you why.
Driving can also be really boring! If you don’t have a driving partner or someone else in the car and are driving for long periods of time, I already find myself fiddling with the radio at a red light, adjusting the windows or mirrors when stuck in traffic or just getting distracted by things around me as I am driving and I have only been doing it a couple of months!
I grew up as technology started to become more popular, when “brick phones” were the norm and the idea of technology at the wheel started claiming lives and they had the initiatives to try and stop it. I was shown videos in school about the implications of checking your phone, we went to a seminar in college where we met people affected by car accidents and lost loved ones because of using technology at the wheel and I am not going to lie, it has scarred me for life. Clearly it has done its job.
I don’t know if it is also because I am a parent to two small ones but I don’t need to be killing myself or others and missing out on anything because I couldn’t wait until I got home to check my phone and that is what I feel a hands free cradle would be to me. It would be a gateway. Yes, the satnav would be helpful but I can have that on in the compartment under the radio out of view. With my phone on the dashboard it’s another excuse to get distracted, another thing to play with when I am bored and with all the good intentions I would probably check my notifications when I am stopped if I saw they were there. Can you help yourself if you see someone sending you a message, I will just send them a quick reply…
Then where does it end? I could checked notifications or the weather or a traffic report and nothing might happen. I could then start texting or calling and taking a selfie but quite frankly it’s all a distraction that you shouldn’t have in the car. If something is so important, I will pull over and waste the extra two minutes on the side of the road rather than wasting the rest of my life saying “what if” being distracted and causing an accident.
This is a bit of a waffly and ranty post but I think I intended it as a reminder to others to never make your distractions in the car, the norm. Hands free seems like a good idea but it is still a distraction and all it takes is a minute for the unspeakable to happen and I couldn’t live with that kind of guilt.
I am also putting this out there as a way to hold myself accountable. When I become fully comfortable driving I want to keep this mentality to remind myself that nothing is more important than safety for me and my family which is why I will never have hands free in the car.
Do you think I am being silly or are you also against “hands free“?
18 comments on “Why I Won’t Use “Hands free” In The Car”
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I totally agree with you. I have recently started driving and I put my phone on silent the moment I get in the car so that I’m not distracted by it.
I’ve never used hands-free in the car. I feel like it’s super dangerous especially if you get sleepy in the car. I think some accidents happen that way.
Using a phone while driving can have some serious consequences. I am not a driver myself but I am so against the phone or any other technology because they are distractions.
I dont use my phone while driving, hands free or not. It is a distraction that could cost deep consequences. If I need to talk on the phone, I can always stop, park and then make the call. It is not worth the risk.
We only use phone in the car for GPS and we have a hands free stand on it, but we don’t check anything, social media wise, while driving. But I can totally see why you second guess yourself on getting one.
I totally agree with you, it is so dangerous even if handsfree whilst driving, you must always be vigilant and nothing else should distract you whilst driving.
I definitely understand what you mean. When I see a message come up on the phone the first reaction is that we need to respond to it. And the problem isn’t just the feeling we get on our end. Its the expectations that others have come to that when they message you should respond very quickly and that’s just not the way that life works, unfortunately.
I really agree with you and you’re right, I never use my phone when I drive, I always put it in my bag or pocket in silent mode.
While driving, I hate people who use phones, handsfree or any sort of distraction. I feel life is more precious and while driving, one must just drive and not bother about their notifications, status updates. They can wait till we reach a destination!
I agree. I try (my hardest) just to leave my phone in the back of the car altogether.
I sometimes use my hands free in the car if I really need to make a call to let someone know I am running late or if it’s important regarding the children, but I would never just drive and aimlessly chat!
I don’t think about my phone at all when I’m driving. It’s in my bag, on silent, hidden away. It’s just not worth the risk of getting distracted. If I get lost I will pull over somewhere safe, stop the car then get things sorted out.
You shared exactly what I’ve been thinking. Most of us are guilty of being easily distracted by our phone and the “hand free” option is no different. The few benefits definitely outweigh the risks. It’s just not worth it. If you do need something on your phone, you can always pull over.
I love my hands-free mount, but I only use it for the GPS or having my phone charge while I play podcasts/music on long drives. I have a strict rule to never let myself use the phone while I’m driving. It all depends on your comfort level I suppose!
I completely agree. Even hands free a phone can be a complete distraction and it is important to give the people in the car your full attention as well as keeping your eyes on the road too!
Yes, it is definitely better safe than hands free. You will never know what could happen, even if its a bit more convenient. Thanks for sharing.
I think what you are saying is very important! I agree with you completely and I keep my phone in my handbag while driving so I dont get tempted to fiddle, check texts or anything else. You are right, our lives and kids lives are not worth the risk of looking at a phone whilst driving when it can always wait until we stop!
I did not know that there is such concept also. But I have to disagree, don’t you think it will help you 2 times? Or maybe I only feel that hands free are not that bad option. I feel it is all about control.