Connected Mobility Pundit Proclaims Technology Exists to Eradicate Distracted Driving Today
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 31, 2014 -- March 31, 2014, In honor of the fourth annual national Distracted Driving month connected mobility expert Peggy Smedley proclaims the technology to completely eliminate accident and death due to distracted driving is literally at our fingertips. Government studies show more than 3,000 people die as a result of driver distraction every year.
“With the types of cellphones, hands-free devices, and technologically advanced vehicles now available, we have the power to end all distracted-driving incidents right now, this month. All it takes is the will to restrain ourselves from looking away from the road. We do this and nine fewer people will die every day,” says Peggy Smedley, editorial director, Connected World magazine, and president, Specialty Publishing Co.
According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Assn.) 660,000 drivers in the U.S., are using cellphones or other devices at any given moment during daylight hours. In 2012, more than 3,328 people were killed on the road, and 421,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.
“To date, 42 states currently ban texting for all drivers, which addresses the issue, not the solution. We believe the conversation should be educational and steered towards solutions, not problems,” says Smedley. “Instead of saying ‘don’t text,’ let’s start saying ‘use voice commands,’ or ‘master your in-car technology.’ Most people can barely navigate around new smartphones, let alone comfortably use voice technology. If we collectively focused on taking advantage of what we already have in our hands, we could eliminate distracted driving this month!”
Smedley recommends the following actions that should be considered to address driver distraction:
Increase education and understanding of driver distraction. This includes required classes, ad campaigns, and cooperative technology efforts.
Use technology tools to better educate and improve driver behavior, like OBD (on-board diagnostics).
Every state must ban all handheld use of cellphones for texting on electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. Only hands free use should be allowed.
Every state must ban all handheld cellphones while driving except for emergency use.
Create and enforce policies that limit distractions in the dashboard, focus motorists on driving safely. (social media: Facebook and Twitter feeds, gaming, videos, photos)
Create a governing body (comprised of independent individuals) to evaluate acceptable in-vehicle apps offered by OEMs, carriers, and developers to be incorporated in any and all vehicles.
Hands-free usage should be demonstrable during licensure testing, just like a vision or driving test.
Smedley is focusing on distracted-driving solutions for the entire month on her self-titled radio show and in articles in Connected World magazine. She is conducting a special live Tweet Chat April 30 at 12 noon CT, and is inviting representatives from mobile-solution providers and industry experts to join in a nationwide conversation on the proper use of technology to defeat distracted driving.
“Efforts like the recently enacted Illinois ban on use of handheld devices while driving and New York’s five points on a driver’s license for each violation is comparable to putting a Band-Aid on a grenade wound. We have conditioned ourselves to using cellphones anytime, anyplace. Instead of gradually trying to change it, let’s use technology to help educate and change our behavior once and for all,” says Smedley.
The NHTSA recently announced its “5 to Drive” campaign aimed at teaching teens good driving skills. Smedley likes this thinking, but believes it needs to be amplified: “Let’s add to this program with an educational component for teens and adults. Then we’ll really be moving the needle.”
About Connected World magazine
Connected World is the business and technology publication that provides the intelligence industry titans need and the guidance consumers crave. It’s all about M2M. http://www.connectedworldmag.com
Steve Lundin, BIGFrontier for Connected World magazine, http://www.connectedworldmag.com, +1 (312) 391-8007, [email protected]
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