The decision to ban the use of hands-free mobile phone headsets while

Yes, kntombat, some is a word that warrants caution in a CR or RC question. Some could refer to just two. (I discuss the issue much more in depth in this post.) Would it really undermine the argument if two drivers had crashed while using the hands-free technology? No. You are pursuing a could-be-true line of reasoning instead. Notice, too, how considerable in choice (A) operates. If there is considerable evidence, not just some evidence, that using mobile phones distracts the brain, which governs hand-eye coordination, then using a mobile phone in an automobile is a dangerous action, period, with or without hands-free technology. The linear logic is that the use of mobile phones distracts the brain, and the very argument we are setting out to debunk is based on hands-free technologies allowing for mobile phone use without... distractions. In other words, the earlier claim that mobile phone use while driving is distracting and dangerous appears justified. The brain simply cannot allow the body to perform the way it should when a driver is using a mobile phone.

I hope that helps. Thank you for calling my attention to the question.

- Andrew

Conclusion: Option to drive with hand free phone should be legal, given:
a) mobile phone use - distracting and dangerous
b) But, dangerous because drivers use hands and eyes to operate the phone
because hand free will be hand free, so allow legal.

hmm, well while hand free, will be hand free, what will happen when a call comes, does the driver get distract then ?

POE:

(A) The functioning of the eyes and the hands is governed by the brain and there is considerable evidence to show that the use of mobile phones distracts the brain. - hmm.. so the regular phone is an issue since it distract, does the hand free in any way can distract as well. This choice give out that point of distraction which can be considered dangerous and hence weakens the conclusion by attacking one of the premises.
(B) Most good quality hands-free headsets are expensive which will discourage people from buying them. - cost is not a concern
(C) Just because something is legal does not necessarily mean that it is safe. - ok but too generic
(D) There have been some incidents of road accidents involving drivers who were talking on the mobile phones using hands-free technology while driving at the time of the accident. - be careful with words, such as, "some", "most"; both words mean "not all", so not consistent to opt
(E) There are other technologies available, such as the use of Bluetooth to connect one’s mobile phone to the car’s speaker system, that are much safer than the use of handsfree devices. - Out of scope, we are not discussion "other tech"

Official Explanation

Answer: A

The argument assumes that a driver will be able to use his hands and eyes unhindered if he uses a hands-free headset. A weakens this by suggesting that this will not be the case because the use of mobile phone distracts the brain, that will in turn distract the hands and eyes because the brain controls their functioning.

(A) The correct answer.

(B) The price is outside the scope of the argument. The question is whether the use of hands-free headsets should be allowed at all.

(C) True, but to weaken the argument, we have to show how the use of hands-free headsets is unsafe.

(D) The operative word here is some. There could be other reasons for these accidents as well, such as over-speeding or carelessness of the pedestrians.

(E) The availability of other technologies is outside the scope. The question is whether the use of hands-free headsets is safe or not.

AndrewN, I know that D isn't the perfect answer and like Bunuel, the word "some" also made me question the efficacy of this option, could you point why answer A is a better option, it doesn't talk about using hands-free mobile phone headsets and just talks about how the "The functioning of the eyes and the hands is governed by the brain and there is considerable evidence to show that the use of mobile phones distracts the brain." I chose D on these basis that A makes a jump to conclude that using mobiles via hands free headsets is as distracting as using the actual mobile itself while driving and if this jump is fine then shouldn't answer D be right ?

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