More Driving Distractions Created By Car Makers
Posted by
IB ContributorJanuary 26, 2007 9:40 PMThe Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit group, has filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, asking the government agency to restrict the use of interactive systems carmakers are building into vehicles so motorists can't make phone calls and check e-mails while driving, according to a Bloomberg Business News report.
The petition, which can be viewed on the group's Web site, states that these features will lead to a spike in accidents because drivers will be taking their eyes off the road to be paying more attention to their e-mail and other personal affairs. The systems in question include OnStar from General Motors Corp., and Sync, introduced by Ford Motor Co. earlier this month. These gadgets allow drivers to have wireless access to security features, navigational aids and a wide array of entertainment.
The Bloomberg articles quotes, Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Washington-based Center.
"When it comes to electronic communication, we want the safety part to work and the unsafe gadgets to not work," Ditlow said.
So the group is fine with GPS, "call for help" and other safety features, but is against the driver being distracted by personal cell phone calls, e-mail or a movie or ball game.
I agree. We don't need more distractions as we drive. We have enough of those.
Auto makers should focus their research and development on enhancing their vehicles' occupant safety systems, seriously increasing gas mileage and improving the ecological impact of the industry and its products. What about defective seats, seatbelt failures, faulty airbags and poor stability, which have caused or contributed to tens of thousands of fatal auto accidents every year?
Maybe if the American auto makers focus on what is good for the consumer and the environment, they will be building cars that we want and need. Or they can keep going in their present direction and go the way of the other dinosaurs.
As long as people are being injured unnecessarily by the negligence of auto makers, Bisnar|Chase will be working to hold those negligent auto makers accountable for the injuries and losses they have caused, especially where they have failed in their corporate responsibility by failing to let the motoring public know about their defective products, in a timely fashion.
If you or a loved one has been injured by in an auto accident or due to a defective product, call me. We have what it takes to fight these corporate giants and bring about some justice.