Tech

Apple Watch Declared a Highway Safety Threat in UK

Paul A. Eisenstein
Watch Berkshire

When driving in Britain, stay on the left side of the road – and don't look at your new Apple Watch.

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Safety experts in the United Kingdom are questioning whether the new wearable device will be just as much of a driver distraction as cellphones and tablet computers.

And British authorities have indicated that someone using an Apple Watch when involved in a fatal crash could be subject to serious penalties.

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The UK's Institute for Advanced Motorists is leading the charge, declaring that the Watch "could significantly impair driving performance." The organization cited a study indicating mobile phones had contributed to nearly 2,000 accidents in Britain.

"Having a wristwatch linked to users' mobile phone only suggests a higher proportion of drivers' performance will be significantly impaired," the organization said in a statement.

British regulators are taking action, declaring that use of the wearable technology while driving would be subject to a 100-pound fine, as well as three points on a driving record.

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In the United States, existing laws restricting the use of handheld phones would likely apply, according to Russ Rader, a senior vice president with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

—By Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News

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