Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Using Apple Watch whilst driving.
- Thread starter snarlz
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
MH01
Suspended
I use it to get driving directions, so glancing at it, like a watch would be fine. As for using while driving, it would actually be more dangerous than using a phone (A Phone is usable one handed, the watch requires 20) . I would not recommend using the AW while driving.
I am sure someone can confirm the actual legal aspect.
I am sure someone can confirm the actual legal aspect.
I do use it but it's quite distracting. Handy for reading texts etc. Would be easier if you could press a side button to reply rather than having to look at a small display and hitting "reply" I think there's much to exploit in the coming software updates.
JFazYankees
macrumors 6502
Woah, your watch requires 20 hands to use it?!
All kidding aside, I agree completely. Trying to use a touchscreen watch while driving is way more dangerous than using a phone.
BarracksSi
Suspended
I believe there has already been an instance of an AW user getting ticketed for distracted driving.
Canada. He was controlling music on his Watch at the time. He contested the ticket and won on the ground that the Watch isn't a hand-held device (it's a wrist-worn device).
Last edited:
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
I'd say reading texts on a watch is no different then reading them on a phone and I'd avoid such habits. I can see using the watch with the maps app because you can glance and get the taptic feedback but looking and reading texts does fully distract you from driving imo
sunapple
macrumors 68040
I answered a phone call on my watch while driving. It was certainly more safe than pulling out my phone and holding it to my ear because I just had to tap to receive the call and I could talk while holding the steering wheel with two hands (when I needed to).
I have only done this once because I wanted to try it out (getting the phone call while driving and wearing my watch was a coincidence though). It's probably not better than using a handsfree kit.
I have only done this once because I wanted to try it out (getting the phone call while driving and wearing my watch was a coincidence though). It's probably not better than using a handsfree kit.
I tend not to use the watch when I'm driving and the car is moving - I use the car's clock and can make or receive calls through its sound system if I have to. If there's an incoming text, I can see who it's from and read it on the watch, if needed, but I wait until the car is stopped at a red light or is otherwise stationary for more than a few seconds.
Enygmatic
macrumors 65816
Trying to read info on an even smaller screen (watch) is inherently more dangerous and distracting.
Utilize the taptic feedback for maps - probably a better option than glancing at your phone.
Focus on operating that 2000+lb weapon.
Utilize the taptic feedback for maps - probably a better option than glancing at your phone.
Focus on operating that 2000+lb weapon.
I have been using my Apple Watch while driving, mostly responding to text messages. I'm here in California and this probably isn't legal. My iPhone is mounted in a Proclip on my dash. I always use hands free through the car's bluetooth. But here is the thing with text messages: When I get a text alert on my watch, my left hand is usually at eye-level on our near the steering wheel. At a stop light or sign it's much easier/quicker (and safer) to use the reply function on the watch rather than reaching for the iPhone. Dictation is a breeze too. I try not to do this too often, but had to yesterday to let someone know I was going to be at an arrival point in 5 minutes. I don't think I put myself or others in danger....
The watch is easier to use while driving than the phone. Granted, I am not using either device to read.
With my hands on the steering wheel, a slight rotation of my left hand activates the watch screen without ever taking my hands off the wheel or my eyes off the road. I can send texts and add to do items and since the watch is connected to my car along with my phone, I can listen to texts and choose songs never once looking down or moving a hand. I've used my phone for a few years now to listen to messages and dictate messages. It's just one step easier with the watch. No eye movement or hands reaching for anything.
With my hands on the steering wheel, a slight rotation of my left hand activates the watch screen without ever taking my hands off the wheel or my eyes off the road. I can send texts and add to do items and since the watch is connected to my car along with my phone, I can listen to texts and choose songs never once looking down or moving a hand. I've used my phone for a few years now to listen to messages and dictate messages. It's just one step easier with the watch. No eye movement or hands reaching for anything.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
Sending texts and/or reading them means you have to take your eyes off the road. Even if you're not, your attention is focused solely on the watch and not what might be walking in front of you.
No, I use Siri to read them to me and Siri to write the texts and send. I never text and drive or read texts. I probably look away less than a person without a watch or phone.
Give it a try. Anyone who wears the watch and drives with raise wrist to activate knows how often the screen comes on. Siri can dictate and send a text without acknowledgment and take notes and to do's and reminders. She can read your messages over your car speakers. I don't even have to press the talk button on my steering wheel.
Last edited:
Talkingtoaster
macrumors regular
Not officially illegal yet (UK here) but its early days and new tech. Once the mainstream gets into 'wearables', maybe 5 years or so? Then it will become the same classification as using a phone. In fact its worse than using a phone as its a tiny display to turn your wrist towards your eyes while driving. For me personally my 6+ is in a cradle just left of my steering wheel in the same way a touch dash would sit. I can touch my phone with my left fingers while still holding the wheel. While I'm stopped at lights its easy to select playlists on apple music, the rest of the time I have satnav up on the display.
I have used the watch siri to send messages which definitely is safer than using the phone as you would have to remove it from the mount. Problem for me using the watch is it requires a data connection (live in a rural area) and also when my roof is down it just picks up wind noise.
But back to topic, the standards of driving by a majority of this country is not very good. People holding phones is bad enough but the idea of people using a watch with a tiny screen while driving? Thats terrifying and it will result in many accidents I'm sure of it. Of course is it all works out as it should you don't even need to look at the watch, hold it up, hey siri, text mum ill be home in 20 mins, then hey siri send. when it all works well its great, but if it doesn't work and you start looking at the screen to see why? bad news.
I have used the watch siri to send messages which definitely is safer than using the phone as you would have to remove it from the mount. Problem for me using the watch is it requires a data connection (live in a rural area) and also when my roof is down it just picks up wind noise.
But back to topic, the standards of driving by a majority of this country is not very good. People holding phones is bad enough but the idea of people using a watch with a tiny screen while driving? Thats terrifying and it will result in many accidents I'm sure of it. Of course is it all works out as it should you don't even need to look at the watch, hold it up, hey siri, text mum ill be home in 20 mins, then hey siri send. when it all works well its great, but if it doesn't work and you start looking at the screen to see why? bad news.
Not when using Maps navigation. I can simply detect the different left/right turn haptic patterns without peeking at the screen. In fact, I take my eyes off the road far more when using Maps on the iPhone. There's too little information on the Watch screen to constantly refer to the tiny display anyway.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
Not while driving, again your focus is not really on the road. I'd prefer avoid such actions
You realize, people who adjust the radio or volume or temperature take their eye of the road more than what I described. Plus, people up above freely admit to texting while driving. 🙂 You post like you never take your eye of the road even for a second. 🙂 The whole point of all these improvements is to keep total focus on the road. I am looking straight ahead and telling siri to read my text - complete focus on the road. You almost come across as if you have never taken your eyes off the road. 🙂
I do get your point, but the built-in hands free and bluetooth and siri have made life easier for those who are always on. I literally can answer a phone call without ever looking for a button to press or where the phone is and it is hard for anyone to say they don't look at the phone if it rings or to see who is calling or texting. 🙂
BarracksSi
Suspended
I love having the taps for directions, although I still have the iPhone speak through my car stereo.
The more I can leave the phone in the center console's cupholder, the better. Whether I'm driving, on my bike, or walking, the other drivers who I see making mistakes nearly always have a phone in their hand (and if not, they're looking up at street signs, hopelessly lost).
The more I can leave the phone in the center console's cupholder, the better. Whether I'm driving, on my bike, or walking, the other drivers who I see making mistakes nearly always have a phone in their hand (and if not, they're looking up at street signs, hopelessly lost).
For me it has certainly removed the temptation to pull my phone out of my pocket when driving if I get a text, I can literally move my wrist and get the gist of the message. I've been very impressed with the Siri interpretation of my replies to text, especially with my Northern accent 😛
Cell phone record? Other than that, I don't think they can prove anything outside of cell phone record (e.g., using Maps, etc.).
Night Spring
macrumors P6
Your EYES are on the road, but your FOCUS is divided between driving and telling Siri what message you want to send. Having eyes pointing one direction doesn't necessarily mean you are seeing what's in front of you.
That said, I don't drive myself so I don't know how much talking to Siri detracts from driving. But there is SOME level of distraction there, even if your eyes stay on the road.