This is a serious issue—one that has far-reaching consequences, including fatalities. In my opinion, we are partly to blame for this growing problem, as a society that has become increasingly dependent on digital devices.
Let’s be clear: you should never hold your phone while driving a motorized vehicle.
Why emphasize motorized rather than just cars? Because any vehicle powered by an engine—whether a car, motorcycle, or scooter—moves at speeds far beyond our natural human capabilities. Our cognitive abilities are simply not designed to handle the split-second decision-making required for safe driving while simultaneously processing information from a phone. Multitasking behind the wheel is a dangerous illusion—be honest with yourself about that.
If you absolutely must interact with your phone while driving, use hands-free options like Siri or Google Voice. While not completely risk-free, they are significantly safer alternatives to holding your phone. A simple car phone holder, which costs just a few dollars or euros, can also help reduce distraction.
And let’s not hide behind privacy concerns in this context. Yes, Google and Apple collect vast amounts of data, and I understand why some people disable voice functions for privacy reasons. However, when you’re driving, your focus should be entirely on the road. Your attention can mean the difference between life and death—not just for you, but for everyone around you.
If you think you’re good at multitasking, put yourself to the test. Watch this YouTube video on multitasking and challenge yourself. But don’t lie to yourself – not about something this serious. When it comes to driving, your full attention is not just recommended; it’s essential.
While personal responsibility plays a crucial role in preventing distracted driving, I don’t believe we are entirely at fault. Smartphones are designed to be addictive—arguably even more so than drugs like heroin or cocaine. This isn’t just speculation; it’s been extensively researched and proven by former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris, among others.
Tech companies deliberately engineer their products to hijack our attention through mechanisms such as:
- Endless scrolling (used in social media feeds)
- Dopamine-driven notifications that encourage compulsive checking
- “Pull-to-refresh” mechanics, mimicking the unpredictability of slot machines
These psychological triggers are why so many people find it nearly impossible to resist looking at their phones—even while driving. There are several videos and studies that dive deeper into this, some of which I’ve linked below.
Could Tech Companies Be Legally Responsible?
If you were to get into an accident due to phone-related distraction (hopefully not), could you argue in court that Google, Apple, or app developers bear some responsibility? After all, their technology exploits human attention in ways beyond our conscious control.
Legally, this is uncharted territory. While companies like Meta (formerly Facebook) have faced scrutiny over social media addiction, there haven’t been major legal cases directly holding tech giants responsible for distracted driving accidents – yet. However, as awareness of digital addiction grows, it’s possible that legal systems might start considering the role of tech companies in these incidents.
That said, even if the legal argument were valid, it wouldn’t absolve drivers of responsibility. No matter how powerful the urge, resisting the temptation to check your phone while driving is ultimately a matter of life and death. If you must use it for navigation, keep it mounted, use voice commands, and minimize interactions.
Smartphones might be engineered to steal our focus, but when you’re behind the wheel, your attention should be on the road – always.