Silly smartphone decisions

Driver safety has always been an important issue, more now than ever. With safety features ranging from anti-lock brakes to crumple zones and even crash sensors, it should come as no surprise that a record low of traffic-related fatalities was recorded last year. Still, technology has also raised its ugly head to create all sorts of road hazards that it also serves to protect. Drivers are increasingly distracted by mobile phones while driving. Turn on the television or check the internet and you will probably see a story somewhere about a texting while driving accident.

The federal government is considering banning phone use while driving, and most states have also implemented hands-free laws. Despite this, the problem continues to grow. The main problem is in the minds of the drivers and not in their hands. Talking on the phone while driving distracts the driver’s attention from the road to the phone. It’s only going to get worse, as a study recently showed that while teens are aware of the dangers of driving and texting, they continue to do so regardless. The temptation to use a phone while driving will only increase as automakers begin to integrate smartphone technology into their car designs. The Department of Transportation is trying to limit this trend as the public continues to embrace it. Automakers are caught in the crossfire.

One of the most important areas for improvement is that of smartphone integration. Most of the new cars that are sold will have a phone platform or bracket that phones can be attached to. A driver wouldn’t have to use their hands and could just look at the phone as needed, be it for a mapping, an incoming call, or anything else. This still doesn’t keep distractions away, but it could limit it, like having a GPS on your dash. Dashboards now have touchscreens and computers installed on them as well with the ability to download information onto them.

Voice control is emerging as the best option to help control driver distraction. Apple has already had great success with Suri, its voice-activated recognition software. Automakers hope to successfully integrate similar software into their cars. You can keep your hands on the wheel, talk to the car or the phone, and hopefully stay focused and alive.

Another interesting option being experimented with is installing head-up display screens (HUDs) on car windshields. Like a fighter jet, it projects the date onto the windshield for the driver to see. In fact, they have now developed glass with built-in micro imaging capabilities. While this has potential, it is still far from widespread use. It would also make breaking a windshield incredibly expensive to replace. However, once again, would this distract drivers more than it would help them?

Unfortunately, technology advances faster than it can produce answers to the questions it creates. None of these answers address the problem of driver distraction, they just hope to slow it down. The only real way to do that is to turn on the phone and drive without it, but we all know that Americans are unwilling to do that.