How to text while driving ... safely
Apple’s CarPlay, Android Auto via Google give voice to your messages
It has been a long time coming, but it looks like Texas will finally make it illegal to text on a mobile device while driving. A statewide ban has passed both houses of the Legislature and awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature.
Yes, the bill is a watered-down version of what originally was proposed. It has a slew of exemptions, including allowing texting at stop lights — so you’ll still have to put up with folks who sit stationary after the light turns green so they can finish typing that plaintive declaration of love to bae. The bill also doesn’t address talking on a mobile device while driving, which can be just as distracting and, thus, deadly. But it is better than what we have now, which is essentially bupkis.
While most reasonable folks agree that texting while driving is a bad thing, many reasonable people still do it. Texting has become the preferred method of communication for most people under 50, and it is strongly preferred by those 30 and younger. It makes sense that people would want to keep doing it while spending time in the car, even though it’s a growing cause of accidents in the U.S.
Most texting is done on a smartphone, so here’s some good news: It’s easy to use the phones’ voice-control technology to send text messages without breaking the new law. Here’s how, and what, you’ll need to do it.
GO BLUE (TOOTH)
Many cars sold recently have the ability to connect to a smartphone using Bluetooth, a type of wireless connection. Chances are if you’ve bought a vehicle in the past few years, it’s Bluetoothenabled, a feature often touted for safety. Most drivers think of it as a way to talk hands-free on the phone, and it certainly is that. But it also can be used for texting without typing.
If you’ve got car with Bluetooth and it’s not connected to your smartphone, you’ll need to do that in a process known as “pairing.” Begin by going to the Bluetooth pairing settings in your vehicle, which will vary based on make, model and age. Once you’re there, you’ll be prompted to start the process on your phone.
On an iPhone, go to the Settings app, then Bluetooth. On an Android device, go to Settings and look for Bluetooth under “Wireless and Networks.” The car will display a code that you’ll be prompted to enter on your phone. Once you’ve done that, your phone and car are paired. You should only have to do this once.
Some vehicles can display what looks like your smartphone’s screen on their in-dash display. This makes it even easier to use voice to send text or email messages. Apple calls its system CarPlay, and it’s available in about 200 vehicles. Google’s version is Android Auto, and you can find a list of supported vehicles here. There’s a lot of overlap — many cars that support CarPlay also handle Android Auto.
You say your vehicle doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities? If you’ve got an auxiliary jack in your car, you can add a Bluetooth adapter such as the Anker SoundSync Drive, which sells for around $20. If you don’t have an aux jack in your car, you can try a Bluetooth car speaker, such as Motorola Roadster 2 for about $55. These and other adapters come recommended by The Wirecutter, a product review site recently purchased by the New York Times.
You also can use an old-fashioned Bluetooth earpiece typically used for making calls, such as the Plantronics Explorer 500 ($60). And, finally, if you’d rather not buy anything at all, you can use the microphone-equipped earbuds that came with your smartphone.
SPEAK UP!
On an iPhone, you can send a text using the Siri personal assistant. Start by saying “Hey, Siri!” When the device responds, say “Send a text to ... “and name a recipient in your contacts list. Siri will ask what you want to say, and you respond with your message. When you’re done, she’ll read it back to you and ask if you want to send it. Say “Yes,” and it’s on its way.
(Note that you’ll need to have your iPhone plugged into a charger if it’s a 6 or older. With an iPhone 6S or 7, you can say “Hey, Siri!” running on just the battery.)
Of course, that’s if everything goes smoothly. But Siri doesn’t always hear you properly, and the voice recognition might not work exactly right. You can’t edit your text, so you’ll have to say “No” and start over. Yeah, it can be annoying, but you can improve the recognition by doing things such as turning down the AC’s fan, turning off music (if you don’t have a Bluetooth-enabled car that does this for you) or rolling up your windows. Also, note that Bluetooth earpieces are best at picking up what you say, because the mic is close to your mouth.
Don’t have Siri turned on? You can do so in Settings > Siri.
On an Android device, the process is similar, but the trigger phrase is “OK Google.” In the Google app, tap the three-line menu, then Settings > Voice > “OK Google Detection.”
On both platforms, you also can use your voice to launch apps, send email messages and even have your phone read text messages and emails to you.
All this comes with a buzzkill caveat: Even giving voice commands is a distraction while driving. If you can wait until you arrive at your destination, so much the better. Just because you can still text and drive using your voice doesn’t mean that you should.