Category Archives: distracted driving

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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DOT Releases Distracted Driving Video on Ohio Cop’s Death

John T. Gordon from Marion, Ohio is the subject of the latest story from U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Faces of Distracted Driving” series. Gordon was a law enforcement officer and father to an 11-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl. On 18 May 2008, John was riding his motorcycle on Ohio State Route 4 when a young man driving a truck swerved into oncoming traffic. John was struck and died instantly. Records later showed that the driver was using his cell phone at the time of the crash. Continue reading

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OnStar Subscribers Reach 450,000 in China

OnStar Shanghai said today that it passed two major milestones in May with its subscriber base across China reaching 450,000, and requests for Turn-by-Turn Navigation totaling 13.8 million since the launch of the telematics service in October 2009. OnStar has 6 million subscribers worldwide.

Shanghai OnStar received certification from China’s State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping in 2011, becoming the first telematics joint venture allowed offering mapping service in China. Continue reading

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Distracted Driving is a Growing Business Liability

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimate on-the-job crashes cost employers more than $24,500 per property damage crash. The cost rises to $150,000 per injury and to as much as $3.6 million per fatality. Continue reading

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Younger Passengers Least Likely to Protest Distracted Driving

Young drivers are nearly three times as likely to report having been reading or sending a text or e-mail when such an incident occurred as compared to drivers age 25 and higher. In addition, drivers younger than 25 are two to three times more likely to drive while sending or reading a text message or email. Reports of texting while driving drop sharply as age increases. Continue reading

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NSC Says Much Work Needs to be done on Distracted Driving. Again Urges Total ban on all Cell Phone Use

Determining the scope of the cell phone distracted driving problem remains a challenge. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NSC claim the actual number of crashes involving cell phone distracted driving is higher, likely much higher, than reported figures. Continue reading

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Distracted Driving – Chapel Hill Bans All Cell Phones

This makes Chapel Hill the first town in the United States to ban hands-free use of cell phones. Motorists also will be banned from using on-board wireless systems in vehicles – another first-of-its-kind law. Continue reading

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