subject: New Technology Could Curb Dangerous Driver Behavior [print this page] New Technology Could Curb Dangerous Driver Behavior
Did you know that studies have shown that using a cell phone while driving can have the same effect as driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%? That's right, and while today's drivers face more distractions than just cell phones, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that cell phones when combined with other electronic devices were responsible for a great deal of the 5,474 deaths and around 448,000 injuries that stemmed from distracted driving accidents in 2009 alone.
Distracted Driving is a Growing Problem in the United States
In 2005, distracted drivers were responsible for 10% of fatal crashes in the U.S.. By 2009, distracted drivers were responsible for 16% of fatal crashes in this country. While a majority of experts agree that the time to address the dangers of distracted driving is now, they do not agree on how it should be done.
Technology That May Combat Distracted Driving
One proposed solution is to use technology to fight distracted driving. Some of the gadgets that have already been introduced to the market or are in the planning stages include: (1) Anti Sleep Devices: these devices require you to answer questions in order to ascertain a safe period of uninterrupted driving time; (2) Alert Systems: these systems send audible alerts when you are changing lanes without a signal, crossing into other lanes, or driving too close to the edge of the road; (3) Collision Warning Systems: these gadgets gauge how far you are from other vehicles, particularly the vehicle in front of you, and advise you to slow down and create a greater space to avoid a collision; and (4) Apps that Prevent Cell Phone Use in a Moving Vehicle: these apps would prevent cell phones from functioning inside moving vehicles. Currently this technology possesses a serious limitation; it lacks the ability to determine if the cell phone in question is the driver's or the passenger's.
Gadgets Are Only Part of the Solution
All of the technological advancements described above are voluntary. They depend on proper use by the driver to be effective. So, while they may avoid some distracted driving crashes, they are unlikely to be the solution to end this significant danger on our roads.
In the end, technology and new distracted driving laws can be a driving force in encouraging change in driver behavior. However, the responsibility to prevent serious or fatal distracted driving accidents rests with each individual driver, and the safety of others depends on each driver making a safe decision to put down his or her cell phone or other electronic devices while driving.
