The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), a road safety charity in the United Kingdom, has warned that the Apple Watch may cause more road accidents.
The group believes that while driving, using the Apple Watch is just as dangerous as using a traditional mobile phone.
"A smartwatch has the potential to be just as distracting as any other smartphone device. Indeed more so if you have to take your hand off the wheel... to interact with it," said IAM Director of Policy and Research Neil Greig.
In case of a serious road accident, authorities are allowed to seize devices that may have caused the crash. If a device such as the Apple Watch is found to have distracted the user while driving, causing the accident, the user may be convicted because of it.
"It's possible that manufacturers might think it's not their responsibility to warn drivers about the dangers, but they need to be pushing the responsible message too. Enjoy this equipment too, but use it in the right place at the right time," Greig added.
"Constant alerts will require motorists' regular attention," stated IAM.
"As opposed to using a legal hands-free piece of equipment the Apple Watch will require drivers to use two hands to operate the device - impacting speed, lane position and time spent looking at the road."
The U.K. Department of Transport has confirmed that drivers caught using smartwatches such as the Apple Watch will be treated by authorities the same way as offenses the involve using mobile phones while behind the wheel.
Drivers caught violating the law could be sentenced to a maximum of two years imprisonment if the negligence of the drivers causes a fatal crash. If drivers are caught to be distracted by using the devices while driving, the users can be imposed with a fine of £100 and three penalty points in the country's driving offense system.
The Department of Transport added that it is the discretion of the police to judge whether a driver is distracted by the Apple Watch, or any similar mobile device for that matter.
RAC's Report on Monitoring 2014 revealed that 34 percent of drivers are worried that other motorists on the road will be distracted by using mobile devices.
It has also been reported that one out of every seven pedestrians have admitted to crossing a road without looking both ways because they were busy using a mobile device. In addition, over 25 percent of drivers have said that they have nearly hit pedestrians because they were distracted by their phones.
