New Technology in Vehicles—Just One More Distraction?

High tech gadgets and toys have been appearing more and more in automobiles during the past few years. It seems each year brings newer gadgets. But do these gadgets lend to the growing epidemic of distracted driving? 

The auto industry has decided that the buying public wants the same access to technology in their cars and trucks that they have in their homes and offices. What began with passive devices like better stereos from Bose and other upscale manufacturers, continued with installation of rear seat DVD screens to entertain passengers, especially children, on long trips, avoiding the oft repeated question, “Are we there yet?” being screamed into Mommy’s and Daddy’s ears.

In 2010, at the Chicago Auto Show, Chrysler put on display its newest addition to the world of automotive gadgetry, the Uconnect system.  Unonnect makes use of a touch screen, voice command, or buttons on the rear of the steering wheel in order to access TV, the Internet, gps navigation, cell phone, and music.

This multi-media device allows passengers and unfortunately drivers as well to be entertained by Flo TV.  Satellite TV would too frequently lose the picture when in mountainous terrain or while driving under overpasses or bridges.  Flo TV maintains its picture under all these conditions and more.  Different programs can even be watched on different screens at the same time.

Ford Motor Company is introducing what it calls Sync, which makes use of a dashboard screen for navigational maps and routing, email, cell phone calls and texting.  Ford Sync even displays Doppler radar weather, sports information, and movie listings.

General Motors has for some time now provided its customers with OnStar, free for the first year of ownership.  Monthly fees accrue after the free trial.  OnStar automatically knows where you are through its GPS tracking capability much like iPods and iPads today.

This technology includes the capacity to allow motorists to purchase minutes in order to use OnStar as a cell phone.  If the car is stolen, it can locate the car and alert police.  If car owners lock themselves out of their cars, OnStar has the ability to remotely open the car door.

Up to 90 million vehicles across the world now have OnStar capability because OnStar is now becoming a stand-alone product with an external microphone, not one built in to the rear-view mirror.  It will be called OnStar—For My Vehicle (OnStar FMV).  Thus OnStar will be able to be installed in other makes of vehicles, not just General Motors vehicles.  OnStar FMV should be arriving in stores by late March, 2011.  Obviously this technology has been a money maker for GM, and by producing units that can be purchased and installed in other manufacturers’ automobiles, GM hopes to see that profit increase.  For $299.00 most cars built within the last ten years can be equipped with OnStar FMV.  Units will be available at Best Buy stores; installation fees will be between $75.00 and $100.00.  Purchase and installation costs are just the initial start-up costs.  Purchasers will also have to pay for the service with a monthly charge of $18.95 or an annual fee of $199.00.  Owners of this device will be able to call up turn-by-turn navigation, roadside assistance, and will be able to purchase minutes from OnStar in order to use the device as a phone complete with an operator to assist you.

Ford automobiles will soon be able to allow you to tweet by voice.  New technology will provide a Twitter-reading function that will work with a Twitter mobile app called Open Break.  Ford also has recently announced a partnership with the popular Internet radio provider Pandora, intending to make use of its mobile app in order to stream music.  Ford will work with Stitcher as well, an application for Internet news.  This new technology will first appear in the Focus and Edge model.  An eight-inch screen will be featured, located in the center of the dashboard which will also allow drivers and passengers to access the Internet.

The important question which comes to mind in light of all this new technology becoming available to drivers of automobiles is whether or not drivers have only a limited amount of attention to devote to their driving and use of gadgets.  Will the use of in-car technology not decrease the safety of everyone on the road? 

Drivers only have so much attention to devote.  Attention should be devoted to the roadway to optimize highway safety by being aware of potential debris and other vehicles on the roadway, driving defensively, and devoting complete attention to the task at hand: driving.

Safety groups have criticized car companies and manufacturers of technology for putting more gadgets into their automobiles in order to attract more customers and sell more of these tech gadgets.

United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood conducted a National Distracted Driving Summit in 2010.  He took this opportunity to publicly scold car companies and technology producing companies for added technology that increases the distraction of our nation’s drivers and thereby reduces the safety of everyone on our highways. 

Car buyers should not be dreaming of fancy gadgets; they should be demanding new devices only provided that increase safety and decrease the number of accidents caused by distracted driving.

Nearly 5,500 people died and a half million were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2009 alone.  LaHood supported regulations which have been passed that now prohibit commercial truck drivers, rail (train and metro) operators, and bus drivers from texting or being on the phone while on the job.

Transportation Secretary LaHood has criticized car companies and technology manufacturers for turning automobiles into entertainment centers.  What is ideal in a home entertainment center or home theatre becomes a safety issue in a car.  Cell phone use, even with the aid of hands-free devices, has been proven to be a distraction and a safety issue.  While admitting this is the case, car companies have added to the problem by creating new distractions. 

Updating Facebook accounts, surfing the web, getting e-mail by having it read aloud, along with other distractions all contribute the drivers’ loss of focus on what should be the most important activity—operating the car in a safe manner so as not to be a danger to themselves, their passengers, and other drivers on the road.

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These Hubs are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.