Eliminating driver texting

[jclay]

It occurred to me that if cell phones could determine that they were in a moving automobile or truck they could be programmed to disable texting.

All modern vehicles are controlled by digital engine management units, and integrated Bluetooth technology is available and inexpensive; the fundamental communications backbone and vehicle operational data necessary to inform nearby cell phones of vehicle movement exists. Further, determination of cell phone proximity to the drivers seat (as opposed to the other seats) seems a feasible addition. Requiring all vehicle and cell phone manufacturers to employ a uniform approach to disable, for example, bidirectional texting and audio transmissions from cell phones in the proximity of drivers seats in vehicles that aren't in Park would be technologically simple. That would reduce motor vehicle related deaths, maimings, tragedies visited upon surviving families and costs to society at large. Seems awfully beneficial to me.

There are no technical hurdles to this, only human. So how does one sell this to, or otherwise make it happen in, a society that has become enured to 40,000 motor vehicle deaths per year?

[Jonathan]

Welcome to 2009, John. Google "Ray LaHood". That's a good start.

[jclay]

Welcome to 2009, John. Google "Ray LaHood". That's a good start.

So much for yesterday's flash of insight, and misplaced desire for optimism. Depressing. Adults refusing the requirement to act like adults. So what's new?

[Too Tall]

John, would you enjoy standing on a street corner holding a placard decrying the lunacy of texting and driving? Form a meetup group, good idea right?
*Moving this to the OT where it belongs.

So much for yesterday's flash of insight, and misplaced desire for optimism. Depressing. Adults refusing the requirement to act like adults. So what's new?

[thollandpe]

I worked for a man who had a maxim, "Pay people to behave the way you'd like them to behave."

Worth considering. But well known by the communications companies and their lobbyists who are adept at bollixing up any legislative attempts to restrict cell phone use.

[Jonathan]

So much for yesterday's flash of insight, and misplaced desire for optimism. Depressing. Adults refusing the requirement to act like adults. So what's new?

We had this fight in Tallahassee too. The phone lobby is really strong. I have a pal who does lobby work for the space industry look into what was happening behind the scenes and it was the cellular firms. They gutted the texting bill. His only recommendation for how to top those guys would be to enlist the help of MADD and the Tourism industry.

On a national level, now that the economy is better the automakers probably would like to sell and up charge new required technology.

[Saab2000]

This is treated like drunk driving was 40 or 50 years ago - with a wink and a nod. When drivers who kill people while texting (it's easily demonstrable with phone records) are charged with vehicular homicide like drunks who kill are charged, it will have an effect. Until then it probably will be hard to stop. I don't know how the technology can determine if a passenger is using a phone to text or if it's a driver.

But legislators need to grow some balls and just outright ban it. it's been done in many other countries. Some states have banned handheld device usage while driving.

[bgav]

I'm all for states' rights, but the Federal Goverment needs to force states to pass handheld use bans or else they don't get Federal Highway revenue. Once they do this, that will push the technology side. Unfortunately as noted, lots of industry lobbyist money fighting this.

[nahtnoj]

Phones are so 2014. Have you seen all the shit that 2015 and onward vehicles are packed with? Dashboards are basically being replaced with iPads. New car reviews mostly discuss the pluses and minuses of the vehicles "infotainment" system.

[bgav]

Phones are so 2014. Have you seen all the shit that 2015 and onward vehicles are packed with? Dashboards are basically being replaced with iPads. New car reviews mostly discuss the pluses and minuses of the vehicles "infotainment" system.

Good point. The technology is currently available to track eye movement of the driver. If the driver is looking away from the roadway for more than a couple of seconds, or keeps switching back and forth from looking at the road, then there should be a loud, persistent, and annoying alert. If the car has touch screen Infotainment system, it should be blanked out as well.

People know the dangers of drunk driving and texting/distracted driving, yet it continues. It needs to be enforced through technology.

[e-RICHIE]

People know the dangers of drunk driving and texting/distracted driving, yet it continues. It needs to be enforced through technology.

It's not about technology, it's about self-control atmo. Stop blaming "things". I don't own a cell or smartphone, much less know how to text. But I'm aware that changing the radio channels, or the temperature settings, or picking up my water bottle to grab a swig all distract from the task of paying attention to the road. I hope all of you get what you want from this thread and accompanying efforts to control everything in the car. Start by looking in a mirror before you open the driver side door.

[bgav]

It's not about technology, it's about self-control atmo. Stop blaming "things". I don't own a cell or smartphone, much less know how to text. But I'm aware that changing the radio channels, or the temperature settings, or picking up my water bottle to grab a swig all distract from the task of paying attention to the road. I hope all of you get what you want from this thread and accompanying efforts to control everything in the car. Start by looking in a mirror before you open the driver side door.

I agree with you 100%, but unfortunately the masses don't have self control. You're in the minority.

[Peter Polack]

Please read the book, A Deadly Wandering, by Matt Richtel. True story of a young driver who killed 2 men while he was texting. Within the telling of the story, you'll find the ramifications, causes, and cures for texting and distracted driving. I just finished it.

According to the book, one of the reasons people habitually reach for the phone so frequently is because that notification of an incoming message causes a release of dopamine. It's dopamine addiction. Problem is, the younger you start, the more readily your brain gets hard wired to crave the dopamine release and the harder it becomes to break the habit.

[GrantM]

Driverless cars is where this whole thing goes. The "problem" with driving is that it's a total waste of the driver's time,
and yet society hasn't made the connection that we drive too much. People are trying to get something for nothing,
having it both ways - don't evaluate where you live, work, shop, just drive everywhere and 'multi-task'.

Technology solves problems for some and creates new ones for others (externalities in academic language).
The google car, or whatever it will be, is going to change our world. One wonders if traditional public transportation
will be viable in the not too distant future.

-g

[Jake Rosenfeld]

My thoughts are this;
We all must do what we can to raise the conciousness of it. Have conversations, share your opinions and own experiences with those around you. Encourage them to pass it on to others in the same way.

My latest realization about it that I've been sharing with my friends is that I've found that the double bonus exponential danger increaser with texting is hand editing what you are asking Siri to type for you.
I ask them to stop that completely. Take your best shot and send it. If it becomes confusing maybe they should pull over... The amount of garbled texts I'm getting back are signs that my thoughts have made a small impact.

People power is amazing, just got to tap into it.

[e-RICHIE]

<cut>...asking Siri to type for you.

Siri is what atmo?

[GrantM]

Siri is what atmo?

[Matthew Strongin]

Siri is what atmo?

"Voice assistant" for the Apple iPhone. She has terrible listening comprehension skills so when you ask her to send a text it usually ends up missing the mark.

nahtnoj touched on my big concern moving forward...the infotainment systems. I pulled up next to a guy watching a movie the other day. Driving a car and watching a movie. Wired mag had an article last year about Touchscreen UIs in cars. This Ingenious Touchscreen UI Should Be in Every Car | WIRED It showcases a prototype that is supposedly a big improvement over many of the touchscreens currently in use. Personally, I still prefer regular old knobs that I can reach for without taking my eyes off the road.

[e-RICHIE]

"Voice assistant" for the Apple iPhone. She has terrible listening comprehension skills so when you ask her to send a text it usually ends up missing the mark.

Sounds pretty stupid to me atmo. One can't wait until the trip is over to resume communicating, no matter the technology?

[Sinclair]

It's not about technology, it's about self-control atmo. Stop blaming "things".

I'd have thought someone who sold $5000 hand made bicycle frames would appreciate a certain amount of lack of self control in human beings.... ;-)

In Vancouver they passed a "distracted driver" law which has pretty serious fines associated with getting caught talking or texting on your phone here. It seems to have worked, now the only people I see talking or texting on their phones while driving are cops....