Tough issue. Navigation systems in most cases make driving more safe. Certainly more safe than fumbling around with a map or written instructions. But they can also be distracting. And then you have displays which deal with phones, music, ventilation controls, etc. which have little if any safety improvement. No easy answer here.
I agree, Dave – there are no easy answers here. However, some car manufacturers could use a little common sense.
When I’m driving my new 2015, I can’t type in a destination for my navigation system – I have to use voice controls. Great. That makes sense! Eyes on the road!
What scares me is that same system WILL allow me to check my Facebook news feed and post comments/replies WHILE DRIVING.
Still can’t wrap my head around that “logic.” It’s not safe to type in a destination with the car moving, but it’s okay if you go ahead and play on facebook!
Agree. But this scenario is inevitable: a driver or passenger incurs a serious injury due to a distracted driver, injured driver/passenger sues driver for being distracted and sues car manufacturer for “creating” the distraction. And car manufacturer loses. We’ve certain seen lawsuits filed (and lost) for a lot less. I think if my child we’re hit by a driver, driving a car with facebook access, I’d think long and hard about suing the manufacturer.
I agree SW. I have a large heads up display on my SUV, but I wouldn’t think of using Social Media which is totally distracting. I do everything I want to when I start out and it is very easy to punch in temperature, heated seats or the programmed radio stations. Anything else is a distraction and could lead to accidents.
“I wouldn’t think of using Social Media which is totally distracting” I agree, but that begs the question – how come some car manufacturers allow you to browse Facebook on their infotainment systems while the car is in motion? Shouldn’t that be banned or outlawed?
Rosenblatt, the people doing these options apparently don’t think of the safety issues. They are catering to the cell addicts who think they can handle multi tasking while driving. They can’t. It should be banned while the car is in motion.
July 10, 2015 at 8:22 am
CL PM says:
Like or Dislike:
4
0
Our friends the automakers. By making vehicles safer with things like airbags, anti-lock brakes and crash-avoidance technology, the result for the insurance industry is reduced average premiums and that presents growth challenges. Then, just because they like us, the automakers add distracting technology to cause drivers to be less safe, thus increasing average premiums. Beautiful.
Agree all around. Question – any thoughts on use of a driver seat vibration system to alert driver of lane changes when no turn signal is on? I just tried one out and it seems it would have a dramtic safety effect on distracted driving?
Never heard of that, but sounds like a good idea. Negative – Sounds too much like Pavlov’s dogs. Positive – Perhaps we need to be treated like Pavlov’s dogs. At least some of us.
Funny response Dave. The low information voters need some shocks to their butt. I do like my vehicle with back up camera to alert me to things behind me and a little bell goes off if I get close to another vehicle or object
Sadly, this is what Agent does best. Negativity at it’s finest, all…the…time.
July 8, 2015 at 11:35 am
Rosenblatt says:
Like or Dislike:
1
0
Fake answer: I know some people who would intentionally drift out of their lanes to get that feeling :D
Real answer: I think it’s a great idea, to some extent. The lane departure warning on my car is a simple “beep” which can’t really be heard if I have the radio on. It also goes off on city roads while traveling around a corner – I’ve turned it off because it gave too many false positives. If it can become a reliable warning system, I think a vibrating seat would be a nice addition to the audible warning.
On a similar note, blind spot warning systems should become mandatory like rear backup cameras – they are invaluable, IMO.
Rosenblatt, do you have the blind spot warning? I have it on my new car, and it’s great most of the time. It occasionally reacts when there is nothing next to me. I like it for the most part, though. It does help.
I do, KY – on my vehicle, there’s a light on the A-pillar by the side-view mirrors (both driver side and passenger) and if I put on my blinker while the light is on, there’s an audible warning too.
I also get false positives, mostly in rainy conditions, but considering lazy people may not bother to look if there’s no visible warning given, I’d argue that system should be overly sensitive.
I’d rather it tell me there’s a car in my blind spot 100 times out of 50 *real* opportunities instead of only 25 times out of 50!
Distracted driving is distracted driving, no matter how you are distracted. That said, a minimal amount of audio and visual safety warnings may be helpful. Testing is needed as to what types of smart tech will be helpful rather than a distraction.
If I talk to you while the radio is playing in the background and you focus on what I am saying, you won’t be able to absorb what is on the radio, and vice-versa.
Yogi, when you have two or more women in the car driving, you have a serious distracted driving scenario. They have to look at each other and talk while driving. That is why I drive when going somewhere with my wife. She scares me to death.
Tough issue. Navigation systems in most cases make driving more safe. Certainly more safe than fumbling around with a map or written instructions. But they can also be distracting. And then you have displays which deal with phones, music, ventilation controls, etc. which have little if any safety improvement. No easy answer here.
I agree, Dave – there are no easy answers here. However, some car manufacturers could use a little common sense.
When I’m driving my new 2015, I can’t type in a destination for my navigation system – I have to use voice controls. Great. That makes sense! Eyes on the road!
What scares me is that same system WILL allow me to check my Facebook news feed and post comments/replies WHILE DRIVING.
Still can’t wrap my head around that “logic.” It’s not safe to type in a destination with the car moving, but it’s okay if you go ahead and play on facebook!
One of the reasons Detroit “died” was due to lack of logic. I’m really looking forward to the logic utilized in these driverless cars.
Agree. But this scenario is inevitable: a driver or passenger incurs a serious injury due to a distracted driver, injured driver/passenger sues driver for being distracted and sues car manufacturer for “creating” the distraction. And car manufacturer loses. We’ve certain seen lawsuits filed (and lost) for a lot less. I think if my child we’re hit by a driver, driving a car with facebook access, I’d think long and hard about suing the manufacturer.
I agree SW. I have a large heads up display on my SUV, but I wouldn’t think of using Social Media which is totally distracting. I do everything I want to when I start out and it is very easy to punch in temperature, heated seats or the programmed radio stations. Anything else is a distraction and could lead to accidents.
“I wouldn’t think of using Social Media which is totally distracting” I agree, but that begs the question – how come some car manufacturers allow you to browse Facebook on their infotainment systems while the car is in motion? Shouldn’t that be banned or outlawed?
Rosenblatt, the people doing these options apparently don’t think of the safety issues. They are catering to the cell addicts who think they can handle multi tasking while driving. They can’t. It should be banned while the car is in motion.
Our friends the automakers. By making vehicles safer with things like airbags, anti-lock brakes and crash-avoidance technology, the result for the insurance industry is reduced average premiums and that presents growth challenges. Then, just because they like us, the automakers add distracting technology to cause drivers to be less safe, thus increasing average premiums. Beautiful.
Agree all around. Question – any thoughts on use of a driver seat vibration system to alert driver of lane changes when no turn signal is on? I just tried one out and it seems it would have a dramtic safety effect on distracted driving?
Never heard of that, but sounds like a good idea. Negative – Sounds too much like Pavlov’s dogs. Positive – Perhaps we need to be treated like Pavlov’s dogs. At least some of us.
Funny response Dave. The low information voters need some shocks to their butt. I do like my vehicle with back up camera to alert me to things behind me and a little bell goes off if I get close to another vehicle or object
Seriously? ANOTHER dig on low information voters? Why bother with that cheap shot? It is pointless and not relevant to the discussion.
Sadly, this is what Agent does best. Negativity at it’s finest, all…the…time.
Fake answer: I know some people who would intentionally drift out of their lanes to get that feeling :D
Real answer: I think it’s a great idea, to some extent. The lane departure warning on my car is a simple “beep” which can’t really be heard if I have the radio on. It also goes off on city roads while traveling around a corner – I’ve turned it off because it gave too many false positives. If it can become a reliable warning system, I think a vibrating seat would be a nice addition to the audible warning.
On a similar note, blind spot warning systems should become mandatory like rear backup cameras – they are invaluable, IMO.
Rosenblatt, do you have the blind spot warning? I have it on my new car, and it’s great most of the time. It occasionally reacts when there is nothing next to me. I like it for the most part, though. It does help.
I do, KY – on my vehicle, there’s a light on the A-pillar by the side-view mirrors (both driver side and passenger) and if I put on my blinker while the light is on, there’s an audible warning too.
I also get false positives, mostly in rainy conditions, but considering lazy people may not bother to look if there’s no visible warning given, I’d argue that system should be overly sensitive.
I’d rather it tell me there’s a car in my blind spot 100 times out of 50 *real* opportunities instead of only 25 times out of 50!
Good point!
Distracted driving is distracted driving, no matter how you are distracted. That said, a minimal amount of audio and visual safety warnings may be helpful. Testing is needed as to what types of smart tech will be helpful rather than a distraction.
If I talk to you while the radio is playing in the background and you focus on what I am saying, you won’t be able to absorb what is on the radio, and vice-versa.
Yogi, when you have two or more women in the car driving, you have a serious distracted driving scenario. They have to look at each other and talk while driving. That is why I drive when going somewhere with my wife. She scares me to death.