The subject of driver distraction is again being addressed by the US Department of Transportation. This time, the agency says it is putting its foot down.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently released a "Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving" (PDF) that calls for all states to enact laws that would prevent drivers from using handheld phones. It also challenges the auto industry to adopt design guidelines for devices brought into the vehicle. "Distracted driving is an epidemic," LaHood said in a press release. "While we've made progress in the past three years by raising awareness about this risky behavior, the simple fact is people are continuing to be killed or injured -- and we can put an end to it."
It's hard to argue against all the logical points made in the DOT proposal. According to the agency, at least 3,092 people were killed in distraction-related accidents in 2010. Any proposal that calls for more oversight and education is a step in the right direction. But the question is whether this is going to be enough.
The problem is that new devices are coming into the vehicle faster than researchers can study them and automakers can fix them. The cellphone is a good example. Today the DOT says it wants to allow drivers to use hands-free phones, because the worst phone distractions are visual, rather than cognitive. But it took years for cellphones to reach this point.
Similarly, we have iPods, smartphones, GPS systems, and complicated center consoles, all of which can be visual distractions. How long will it take to reach agreement on the design of a "safe" iPod or smartphone? And while we're waiting for those devices to get safer, what new gadgets will find a home in the car?
Experts have told us they heartily agree with the DOT's position on visual versus cognitive distractions. The real problem, they say, is dialing a phone, not talking on it. "When an adult driver dials a cellphone, the odds of being in a crash or near-crash are three times higher," Charlie Klauer, a research scientist at Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute, told us in an interview this year. "For truck drivers, it's 23 times higher."
Still, that data was gathered in 2002 and 2003 -- several years before the advent of texting in the car. Research scientists agree that texting is, as Klauer put it, "in a league all its own," but the technology reached the mainstream so quickly that the automotive community has had little chance to produce quantitative studies on it. Similarly, there are few studies about the use of smartphones, Internet services, GPS systems, or any of the new breed of 15-button center consoles that have taken up residence in the vehicle.
In December, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which answers directly to Congress, called for a ban on all handheld electronic devices in the vehicle. The no-holds-barred proposal doesn't even allow for hands-free phones.
We could debate the relative merits of hands-free versus handheld phones and cognitive versus visual distractions. But the NTSB's proposal has two things going for it: It would draw a clear line in the sand, and it would leave no wiggle room for devices that are on their way but are as yet incomprehensible to most of us.
In that sense, the NTSB has gotten it right. The idea should be to allow safe exceptions to enter the vehicle after they've been studied and fixed, not before.
What do you think? Tell us in the comments section below.
I am from Connecticut, which was one of the first states to make using a cell phone, while driving, illegal.
Unfortunately, the law isn't enforced. During my morning commute, half my fellow commuters are on their cell phones. Yesterday, at a traffic light, I glanced over and a local patrol car driver was using a Laptop, which was on the passenger seat next to him!! I think any "national level" action will be enforced as well as our "state laws".
naperlou; I disagree about disabling built-in Navigation Systems when the car is moving. I agree that the driver should not be playing with it, but the passenger should be able to use it. The same goes for cell phones; the driver should not be using one, but the passengers should be able to.
Do you remember the 'attack seatbelt' ? The seatbelt was attached to the door frame and secured itself around the driver when the door was closed. And retracted when the door was opened. And occasionally tangled itself around the driver.
At some point the driver must be made to be responsible for their actions. Or a robotic arm could be added to every car to confiscate items the driver is being distracted by.
I agree with your sentiment.It seems that a selfish, maybe even narcissistic, attitude is the root of the problem. No new regulation is going to fix that.
But on the up side, I don't feel as guilty cutting people off in traffic anymore!Sorry in advance if any of you drive I-95 south of D.C.
I guess that the 30,000 number is acceptable by people because cars are an old technology that most people trust and use everyday. People tend to accept technology that has been around a long time is inherently safe.
@ naperlou- that is a great asfety addition for GPS devices. Do you know if GPS apps on smartphones operate the same way? GPS apps are more popular than in-car and aftermarket GPS systems lately.
The evolution of distracted driving is predictable. I've commute by bicycle, motorcycle or car on any given day for over 25 years. Very often, people shut the door when they get in their car and forget that there are other people sharing the road.
But this constant need for distraction is carried into other parts of our lives-walking, standing in line, eating out, etc. I'm amazed at how many people need to be in their hand held device everywhere they go. It's partly due to our new connectivity through technology and our fear of connecting-actually engaging with another person eye to eye in real time. The ME-factor (or "it's all about me") is very strong.
I don't see effective laws being passed until we address the root of the issue. This seems heavy-handed and not thoroughly researched. But, is it better than nothing?
LaHood is on the right track. If 3,000 people were killed in airplanes during one year, we would see major changes in air safety. It's about time distracted driving is getting the attention it needs.
Jerry, I fully agree with you. I have noticed the same thing. Usually it is just stupid stuff, like sitting there when the light is green. Yesterday I almost got hit by a guy taking a left at a light without looking. I do not have a small car. There is a curve there, and when you do not have the turn light you have to be careful. Fortunately I am very familiar with the location and fully expected something like that. He was talking on a cell phone and did not stop talking the whole time I could see him. It is silly not to have at least a hands free rule, at the least.
As for the electronics in the car, that is easier to regulate. I notice that built in GPS systems do not allow changes while the car is moving. At first I thought this silly. I now fully agree.
By far the biggest danger I face on the road are drivers distracted by cell phones. 80%+ of stupid driving effecting me on the road is fools not paying attention because they have a cell phone in their hand.
I stopped driving during drunk hrs, Friday/sat afternnoon until Sat/Sunday morning to get away from them now at anytime one will find jusy as bad driving because of cellphones, etc.
The new electronics in cars is only making things worse and a lot of it needs to be stopped. Maybe voice activated, controlled could help but it makes the road far more dangerous.
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