Is the use of hands-free in all the countries of Europe legal?

The mobile phone can be a great ally, although it can also become a great danger, if we talk about this device while driving, an action comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol. At least that’s what the Directorate General of Traffic believes, who explains that answering a call is equivalent to driving with a BAC of 1.0 g / l. Driving and talking on the phone at the same time increases the risk of an accident between four and nine times, even when using a hands-free device, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.

How is the use of this type of device in the member states of the European Union and what legislation does it have? These are issues that we are going to try to discern in this article.

The regulations change depending on the country

In Spain, the traffic regulations are clear, as dictated by Article 18.2 of the General Circulation Regulations : “The use while driving mobile telephony devices and any other means or communication system is prohibited, except when the development of the communication takes place without using hands or wearing helmets, headphones or similar instruments “.

These same guidelines apply in Germany, Belgium, Finland, France and Hungary , where the use of the hands-free is allowed, but never with helmets, headphones or other similar instruments.

However, in countries such as Italy, Holland or Sweden, the legislation prohibits systems that can distract from driving, without mentioning the use of mobile phones. In the case of Austria, Bosnia, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic, the use of mobile phones is forbidden, although only to speak, without specifying anything regarding the hands-free.

As for the amount of sanctions, the average round 105 euros , according to the report “Study on the regulatory situation in the member states irrigating brought-in devices and their use in vehicles” of the European Union . As can be seen in the graph of this study, Spain with 200 euros and the loss of three points in the card, is the second country with the highest penalty , behind Holland (with 250 euros) and well above the 40 euros from the Czech Republic, 50 euros from Austria or 60 euros from Germany.

Not only the fact of talking on the mobile distracts the wheel, but also the use of the hands-free device, despite the fact that many people use it on many occasions to avoid falling asleep. If you haven’t a hands free and want to buy a quality hands free online visit https://www.bluetoothheadsetpro.com/.

A study by researchers at the University of Utah in the United States shows that using the hands-free is less safe than we think. Up to 27 seconds can delay in regaining attention once you have stopped using your free hands, which involves traveling three football fields at 40 km / h, according to the results of the researchers of the aforementioned study, funded by the Foundation for Road Safety of the American Automobile Association.

The report also reflects that although the driver was looking at the road, he did not notice the signals because his attention was focused on conversation and not on driving. A fact that is due to the brain activity of the human being, unable to process signals from the road or the environment while keeping busy in a conversation. Even the researchers who carried out the study determined that after several minutes maintaining a conversation through the hands-free system, the driver loses attention on driving and stops perceiving, about 40 percent of the stimuli.

Do you know what the different hands-free systems are?

Many of the current vehicles have Bluetooth as standard to connect the mobile phone to the vehicle’s audio system, although for cars that do not equip it there are other types of alternatives. Its price is 50 euros, less than the cost of a traffic penalty.

The company of premium rental services Sixt made last year a selection of different types of hands-free systems to talk on the phone.

Three types of hands-free

To be able to talk on the phone in the car with total security and complying with the rules, we have three types of systems: with installation, laptops and Bluetooth headsets. Regarding the first, popularly known as Parrot, since it was one of the pioneering brands in the market, they require to be installed by a technician, since it is connected to the audio equipment of the car. They have a good sound quality and speak similar to that of the equipment mounted as standard and have an information screen with a series of basic controls.

Portable hands-free system

In the case of portable hands free, they are the most recommended for drivers who change their car frequently — those who use a rental car — or who will not make exhaustive use of this system. The quality of speech and listening is based on the quality of the equipment, being able to reach levels close to those of a system with installation.

This system is usually placed on the driver’s sun visor by means of a clamp; they have a rechargeable battery and can incorporate a voice command system.

Hands-free Bluetooth car radio

Finally, the Bluetooth hands-free radios show performance and quality similar to that of a hands-free system with installation, although they do not require an auxiliary screen , since the information is supplied through the audio equipment’s screen. In addition, they usually have a remote control that is installed on the steering wheel.

What systems are not valid?

The mobile phone holders are not illegal, but are not valid for use hands free phone because the microphone function is not operating properly if it is not situated near the mouth. In addition, its manipulation is forbidden, so it should have an automatic answer or voice function.

Nor are they valid to use the steering wheel, as the law cited, the headphones by cable or Bluetooth. Do not forget that any headset is strictly prohibited.