NHTSA Puts Industry On Notice: A Car Is Not A Mobile Device

The Car Connection.com ^

[Still Thinking]

Continuing a campaign initiated by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) addressed the Telematics Detroit 2011 conference with harsh words on the growing trend to integrate infotainment technology into cars.

David Strickland told those assembled, “I’m just putting everyone on notice. A car is not a mobile device. I’m not in the business of helping people tweet better. I’m not in the business of helping people post on Facebook better.”

That’s not to say that the NHTSA and DOT are opposed to all telematics applications. In fact, the agencies support systems that provide remote vehicle diagnostics, on-board navigation and automated crash response (like GM’s OnStar and Hyundai’s Blue Link). What the agencies oppose is any on-board system that leads to distracted driving, frequently citing that 995 of the 30,797 fatal crashes in 2009 involved drivers using cell phones.

Automakers, on the other hand, are caught between what the government requires and what their customers want. Generation Y drivers are focused on in-car technology and don’t see texting as a distraction to driving; instead, they see driving as a distraction to texting, which is an alarming trend by itself.

Unless--or until--cars become automated transportation pods requiring no driver involvement, this clash between technology, the NHTSA and automakers won’t find an easy resolution.

[johniegrad]

“I’m just putting everyone on notice"

FU Gubmint twit.

[adorno]

Excellent. If I’m riding in your car, I shouldn’t be able to text.

If you're the driver, no, you shouldn't be texting.

I mentioned that situation, about 2 years ago, in a post I made regarding that question and situation you make.

A car should also be equipped to determine when a phone is being used by someone in the driver's seat, and that can be done by a proximity determining capability in the car for smartphones, and such a capability is already available with near field communication.

However, when people are on the move, why not just limit themselves to voice communications? What is there that you need to text that can't wait until you're out of the vehicle or that can't be communicated via regular voice communication? Furthermore, if something is so critical that texting is needed, why not just pull off to the side of the road and text to your heart's content while still sitting in the car?

[Zeppo]

You forgot to mention black helicopters.

Silly non-sequitur is a non-sequitur.

What, U mad?

[oh8eleven]

It’s like having gun control when there are already laws against murder and holding up liquor stores.
You're argument holds water like a colander.
Talking & texting while driving are no different than Russian Roulette - except you also maim/kill innocent victims. Statistically, distracted drivers are the same as DWI drivers.
That you want it left up to each individual to decide in this day and age of damned near non-existent personal responsibility, is in itself, irresponsible.

[Nachoman]

A car is not a mobile device.

That's been my experience with the Detroit models.

[BlazingArizona]

Maybe your car isn’t a mobile device, but mine’s a Toyota.

[Still Thinking]

My position is anything but irresponsible. I agree that texting and driving is a really bad idea, for me at least, and I don’t do it. There doesn’t need to be a law. If someone gets in an accident because they’re texting and someone dies, charge them with negligent homicide. Shoot, second degree murder. Same for drinking and driving. I also agree that personal responsibility is far too rare of a concept these days, but we won’t get back to it if we keep teaching its antithesis by having someone else decide what’s safe enough for you or me to do.

[Still Thinking]

Rolls Canardly?

[Bob]

...995 of the 30,797 fatal crashes in 2009 involved drivers using cell phones.

For all the stink being raised about cell phones and distracted driving, I would have expected that percentage to be much higher than about 3 1/4%.

[Still Thinking]

Nanny state ping!