We are so reactive when we hear statistics and facts on such matters as cell phones and their relationships with auto accidents. We are rushing to call our state legislators or write to them on why we need to ban this activity; however, if we just let technology takes its course the issue will become a non factor. New technologies like Collision Avoidance in the new Volvos, where the system will get your attention via a light or a vibration in your seat to warn you to brake. Lane Departure Warning in Audis, BMWs, Buicks, Cadillacs and others where an alert will sound if you weave into another lane without signaling; a Blind Spot Monitoring system where an indicator will let you know someone is in your blind spot like in the new Audi, Buick and Cadillacs. (Chuck)
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Collision Avoidance
Pictures courtesy of MSN Auto.
Technology like GM’s OnStar system, an Emergency Response System when you get into an auto accident. Your interior lights will come on; the doors unlocked and automatic fuel shutoff engages. ERS will also alert the authorities in extreme cases (Car). Many newer cars on the market now has some sort of blue-tooth connectivity system that will take the place of fumbling with a hand held device. For example; in 2008 out of the 369 available new car models, 105 of them have some sort of bluetooth connectivity system standard or as an option. That is a 17% increase from 2007, 75 out of 395 (Tavanger5).
Instead of spending money on research on texting and driving why don’t we invest them into those above mention technologies. Because if you really think about it, in a few years the technology probably would exceed what state legislators couldn't’t. And that's eliminating drivers using hand-held devices while driving.
Works Cited
"Car Insurance: Life-saving car technologies." DirectLine 2010. Web. 8 February 2010.
Chuck Tannert. "The Coolest New Car Tech for 2009." MSN Auto. August 2009. Web. 8 February 2010.
Tavenger5. "Bluetooth Cell Phone in Car on the Rise." Cellphoneforums.net 2007. Web. 25 February 2010
Posts
Chad Johnson
ReplyDeleteBrian Lewis
Comp. 2 1022
Feb 8 2010
I think you have a very good idea. The only problem I see with this that it is only in newer cars and trucks. Most of the people who are texting (as seen by other posts in this blog) are younger people, ages 18 - 30. Now, this is just what I have noticed, most of those drivers are driving older cars that do not have these add ons. Also, I believe that most of these features are going to become optional in those cars and the average american is not going to be able to afford them. The tech might be there, but the funding to put this in every car on the road is not.
I understand that the issue on hand is directed more towards teens and they really can't afford these newer cars, however, there are multiple after market devices available for cheap. Devices like the ones that i have in my car. A Pioneer AVH-DVD4000 that i purchased from Best Buy for under $400.00. That maybe a little pricer than most teens want to pay but if you compare it to other models it's fairly cheap. As i did a simple search on Amazon.com for bluetooth kits, i found kits starting at $13.00 and i know most teenager can afford that.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good point about the blue-tooth kits starting out at a reasonable price. BUT what about the "Blind Spot Monitoring" systems? Those are still very pricey things to get? Some of the tech is there in after market systems, but they are not all in place nor affordable.
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