New Technology Means More Distractions Behind the Wheel
The advent of new technology on the center stack in cars has led to more distracted driving accidents. Learn more from the Law Offices of Kottler & Kottler.
December 06, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- It seems like every week there is a new gadget or application that better connects us to the Internet and the world around us, especially after the advent of the smartphone. Automakers are starting to design vehicles with people's penchant for connectivity in mind, developing in-car technologies that keep drivers constantly connected to their online world.
But being so plugged-in behind the wheel can be dangerous. Most states have some sort of ban on using cell phones while driving, including texting and hand-held use. Unfortunately, the threat of car accidents caused by distracted driving does not disappear with the elimination of hand-held cell phone use.
A recent consumer reports article, "Connected Cars: A New Risk," discusses the danger that several new in-car services pose. Car systems, such as Toyota's Entune system, will soon allow drivers to link their smart phones to their cars and display web information on a center stack screen. Drivers will also be able to browse onscreen results, check email, update their Facebook pages, send tweets, and text -- all while driving.
Meanwhile, systems already in cars, such as audio systems / iPod links and GPS navigation systems have become more and more complex, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road for longer periods of time than are necessary. Consumer Reports mentions Audi's MMI, BMS's iDrive and Ford's MyFord Touch / MyLincoln Touch as some of the most complex in-car systems.
Distracted Driving and Car Technology: Putting Lives at Risk
Shouldn't public safety outweigh the financial benefits of adding web and social media applications to a car's center stack? Already, distracted driving plays a role in 80 percent of auto accidents, according to a 2006 study by Virginia Tech.
"Every single time someone takes their focus off the road -- even if just for a moment -- they put their lives and the lives of others in danger," warns Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. In-car technologies can be visual, manual or cognitive distractions -- all of which can lead to serious distracted driving accidents. In fact, many experts claim that cognitive distractions, or ones that take your mental attention off the road, are just as dangerous as those that take your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel.
We have come a long way since the day people were concerned that car radios would cause distracted driving accidents. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) is currently evaluating in-car distractions, which could eventually lead to regulations. For now, we must rely on car manufacturers to think about our safety when developing in-car technology. BMW, for example, does not plan to include the new in-car technology and has started a public service announcement campaign against distracted driving.
We must also pledge to drive safely by keeping all of our senses and attention on the most important task: driving.
Distracted driving will continue to pose a risk to everyone on the road until greater effort is made to educate the public on its dangers and the legal consequences of distracted driving are strengthened to show the public that states are serious about reducing distracted driving. If you or a loved one has been injured by a driver whose attention was on technology and not the road, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
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