Accidents Related to Cell Phones Could Be Reduced With New Communication Devices
Risks of injury caused due to using cell phones while driving is a topic that California personal injury lawyers take a deep interest in. We strive to keep track of all measures that are being taken to reduce these risks, and a report in the New York Times gives us hope that new technologies may help lessen the distractions that using a cell phone while driving can cause.
It is evident that driving while using cell phones is a topic that is going to require a combination of legislative efforts and the implementation of new technologies that will help lessen accidents. Auto safety experts, along with California car accident lawyers know that current efforts aren’t as effective as they should be. Technologies that are presently being put into place to reduce accident risks are the focus of the NYT report.
Attempting to lower the accident rate caused by using cell phones while driving is not something new, and technologies have been put in place by some manufacturers. For example, Ford has put the Sync system, which was developed in collaboration with Microsoft, into place. Voice activation is used in the Sync system, which allows a motorist to make a cell phone call using their voice instead of dialing. Text messages can also be read out loud to the driver, so they can avoid trying to read while driving. These measures add a level of safety, since the driver does not have to focus on his cell phone while driving, resulting in inattention to the road for several seconds.
Over 900,000 of these hands-free systems were installed in 2008 alone, and these numbers are expected to increase to 1.6 million systems by the close of this year. Accident risks caused by using a cell phone while driving have been reduced by the voice activation technologies according to Ford executives, because drivers can focus on the road and keep both hands on the wheel. Virginia Tech Transportation recently conducted a study that indicated that the risk of an accident occurring with the voice activation system was relatively minor compared to the 23% increase in accident risk of a driver who text messages at the wheel. That being said, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the NHTSA have conducted studies that show whether a motorist is using a cell phone that is handheld or voice activated, motorists risk of being involved in an accident is 4 times greater.
GPS sensors that block calls when a person is driving is a new technology that is becoming more and more popular, and insurance companies have been satisfied with the call blocking technology enough that they often offer customers discounts on their premiums. So far, hands-free systems such as the voice activated cell phones are not making motorists eligible for discounts with their insurers.
Everyone would be safer if there were fewer cell phone distractions while driving, according to California personal injury lawyers, who believe that hands-free sets are still not as safe as new technologies that block the call when a person is behind the wheel.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.