Category Archives: distracted driving

GM Throws Technology Gauntlet – V2V Cadillacs in 2 Years

GM’s CEO Mary Barra said yesterday that GM would offer vehicle-to-vehicle communication, V2V in that awful techie jargon, as well as vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and ultimately, fully autonomous driving starting two years from now in a 2017 model Cadillac CTS. Continue reading

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Audi and AT&T Price 4G LTE Connectivity at $499

What this does for the deadly distracted driving problem remains to be seen and depends whether the driver or passengers are surfing the web. There is also risk involved; electronics in automobiles are now the largest single source of customer dissatisfaction if there are glitches, dropped voice commands, screen crashes or problems connecting portable devices. Continue reading

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Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Deadly Distracted Driving Epidemic

Automakers, phone companies, internet service providers, electronics makers, and above all consumers have thus far shown little interest in curtailing the use of electronic devices while in motion in spite of mounting injuries and fatalities caused by them. Handheld consumer electronic devices are equally troubling and unaddressed thus far by NHTSA. Continue reading

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Chevrolet to Sell 4G LTE Data Connections Next Summer

What this does for the deadly distracted driving problem remains to be seen and depends whether the driver or passengers are surfing the web. There is also risk involved; electronics in automobiles are now the largest single source of customer dissatisfaction if there are glitches, dropped voice commands, screen crashes or problems connecting portable devices. Continue reading

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Smart Phones for Dummies – a Modest Proposal

Smart phones may have Mensa-level brilliance, but they have spawned legions of dummies. So I have a brilliant solution: Bring back John Wayne. Why? Because the Duke, in numerous memorable films, insisted that anyone entering his town check their guns or face jail time – or worse, his every ready Colt. Continue reading

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Infotainment Systems Transform Instrument Panels

Only a decade ago, the powertrain and performance of an automobile were the main selling points. Infotainment systems did not exist with virtually all light vehicles without any type of so-called connectivity to the world outside – no telematics, cellular, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Continue reading

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Scion Touchscreen Now Standard Equipment for 2014 Models in Latest Distracted Driving Enabling Scheme

The Scion brand is aimed at younger buyers who are the most likely to be involved in Distracted Driving accidents. New Scions will now come standard with the 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. Included in the Scion touchscreen audio package is AM/FM/CD/HD Radio, hands-free phone capability, music streaming via Bluetooth wireless and AUX/USB port with iPodconnectivity. Continue reading

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Osteopathic Group Wants Ban on Distracted Driving Devices

The American Osteopathic Association has come out in favor of legislation banning activities that cause distracted driving. Citing a growing body of research that show 660,000 drivers use cell phones or electronic devices, the health care organization of 104,000 osteopathic physicians said the public health problem needs a legislative solution. Continue reading

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Consumer Electronics Association Denies Distracted Driving

In a cynical, profit-motivated move, the head of the Consumer Electronics Association today said he would support a campaign to end texting and driving. “I have made a personal commitment not to text and drive, and to use my devices ‘responsibly’ while operating my car,” claimed Gary Shapiro the head of the pressure group for the $209 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. Continue reading

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Automaker Defense of Hands-Free Devices Hooey AAA Says

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is taking on the oft-used automaker defense their profitable selling of hands-free electronic devices that are expanding exponentially in new cars. The latest data show that dangerous mental distractions exist even when drivers “keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.” Continue reading

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Under Reporting of Cell Phone Crashes Rampant. New National Safety Council Research Shows NHTSA FARS Data is Garbage

A new study from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that government statistics on the extent of the Distracted Driving problem are deeply flawed, defy common sense and severely underestimate the extent of the deadly public health epidemic that is killing untold thousands and injuring millions more. Continue reading

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U.S. DOT Publishes Distracted Driving Guidelines

The U.S. Department of Transportation finally released today distracted driving guidelines in an attempt to “encourage automobile manufacturers” to limit the distraction risk connected to electronic devices built into their vehicles, such as communications, entertainment and navigation devices. These are of course among the most profitable and sought after accessories in new cars and trucks. Continue reading

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2014 Chevrolet Impala has Valet Mode to Protect Data

The revised Chevrolet Impala sedan with the optional infotainment system has a “valet mode” that locks up small personal items as well as protecting the addresses and contacts stored in MyLink. The password activated retractable faceplate covers a storage bin large enough to hold a wallet, MP3 player and smartphone. Continue reading

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Distracted Drivers and Vehicle Design Briefing offered by CAR

The automotive electronics evolution has seen increasing emphasis on connected vehicle systems, driver assistance systems, and infotainment systems. Given the potential for these systems to cause huge drops in customer satisfaction, as Ford Motor learned with its My Touch and My Sync systems, it is not surprising that auto companies are now hiring people with experience in human factors engineering, human-machine interface, and mobile device technology. The latest briefing is one of a series CAR offers on relevant topics of interest to industry professionals. Continue reading

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School Driving Safety – Slow Down and Get off the *#$+ Cell Phone

As summer wanes and school bells ring 55 million children in the United States will return to the classroom. With 13% those school children typically walking or biking to school, AAA warns drivers to drive carefully – as it has since 1946 – and to be especially vigilant for pedestrians during before- and after-school hours. Continue reading

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