- Federal government wants automakers to stop adding technology that can distract drivers.
- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he will meet with automakers to develop new guidelines for vehicle telematics.
- LaHood did not spell out a timetable for setting up such guidelines.
WASHINGTON — The federal government wants to limit technology that would allow people to update their Facebook account or surf the Internet while driving. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he wants automakers to stop adding technology that can distract drivers. He will meet with automakers to develop new guidelines for vehicle telematics.
LaHood made the announcement on Tuesday during the second national distracted-driving summit here.
"Put safety before entertainment," LaHood said.
He added that curbing distracted driving has "become a personal crusade for me."
Features that allow drivers to access Facebook or surf the Web "pull attention away from the road," LaHood said, but he did not refer to any automaker or specific telematics system by name.
LaHood did not spell out a timetable for setting up such guidelines.
GM's OnStar announced earlier this month that it will offer customers the ability to dictate text messages and make voice-activated connections to social-networking sites. Ford's Sync system offers hand-free communications, including the option to have e-mailed messages read aloud.
The federal government on Tuesday also released the results of two pilot programs that were set up to test if high-visibility enforcement campaigns to combat distracted driving are working. "It works," LaHood said.
The programs are currently underway in Hartford, Connecticut, and Syracuse, New York. The campaigns are dubbed "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other."
During two weeklong periods of stepped-up enforcement to date, Hartford police have written 4,956 tickets and Syracuse police have issued 4,446 tickets for violations involving drivers talking or texting on cell phones.
"Before and after each enforcement wave, [the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] conducted observations of driver cell phone use and collected public awareness surveys at driver licensing offices in each test and comparison site," said NHTSA in a statement on Tuesday. "Based on these observations and surveys, handheld cell phone use has dropped 56 percent in Hartford and 38 percent in Syracuse to date. Texting while driving has declined 68 percent in Hartford and 42 percent in Syracuse."
Inside Line says: The feds are zeroing in on automakers and drivers in their zeal to end distracted driving. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
qdp says:
11:08 AM, 09/23/2010
Business corporations' gene code is: making money. Without rule and law constraints, they will for sure take peopel's life for their profit making in the name of freedom ,and to them, there is no difference whether you are iraqies or American. Good luck to freedom suckers.
half_ton says:
10:29 AM, 09/23/2010
I think an important point is being missed here by focusing on government intervention.
Drivers need to be focused on driving and the auto makers are making it easier to be distracted by adding in-car technology that takes the focus AWAY from the road ahead.
I think blueguydotcom has a valid point about the lack of testing/training after a license has been issued and that is a cause I could support but I see the other end of the spectrum also. How would you feel if a friend or family member was injured or worse in an accident caused by someone checking/updating their Bookface (backwards on purpose) status?
If being on your phone/laptop/texting is that important to you that's fine. Just don't do it AND drive at the same time.
bodyshopboy says:
06:31 AM, 09/23/2010
Oops I meant to say the role of government should be questioned.
bodyshopboy says:
06:22 AM, 09/23/2010
@phoenixc. Point well taken, and I appreciate the sign off of Peace. All too often we (me included) see a differing point of view and rather than question our own assumptions and language we seek out information that supports our point of view.
I agree that the role of government, particularly the popular party during a time when a lot of people are fearful of the future, and when a culture is wrestling with the role of government and the responsibility of the individual. It is common for politics to become nationalistic and for citizens to scape goat a minority during difficult times.
Personally, I believe that what a person wants to do with their life is their business. Don't want to were a seatbelt - fine, don't were a seatbelt, it's your life.
It crosses the line into legitimate public policy when it has the potential to damage property or cause injury or death to others, and all of the statistics I've seen on distracted driving raise these concerns.
I too shall go back to my porch and be happy to have a civilized exchange where we each felt safe to express our opinion and seek clarity on the other.
phoenixc says:
04:53 AM, 09/23/2010
@compressor
+1 - Safety (and all the illusion required to sell it) is a very handy tool when seeking to subjugate large groups of people. After all, we all need saving. Right?
herrstreet says:
09:13 PM, 09/22/2010
It's not the cars. It's the phones. Cars are getting better at integrating this stuff.
compressor says:
07:36 PM, 09/22/2010
Put the word "safety" in front of anything and people jump in saying that it must be right. Example: red light cameras.
The government can ask all they want, the market will dictate what it wants and will win, until a law or regulation is made.
accordguy0325 says:
07:15 PM, 09/22/2010
Another example of Nanny Government run amok... Vote all the bastards out this November - before it's too late !
bodyshopboy says:
06:27 PM, 09/22/2010
Oh please, "Federal Nazi approach" - pretty harsh label for taking away your right to be too stupid to live.
Save your vitriol for when your rights are truly infringed, and study some history before you start tossing around Nazi as a descriptor for those pushing a safety initiative. A genocidal regime is not equal to a new safety regime.
Now get off my lawn you darned punk....
qdp says:
06:19 PM, 09/22/2010
Those auto should be targeted for thier irresponsible or criminal marketing gimmicks at the expense of road safety and good social morales