Is technology making it safer to drive? Experts are divided on the question. Some point out that several of the newer in car apps have already saved thousands of lives. Others say that too much technology inside cars, particularly interactive monitors, is highly distracting and has led to many accidents. What's the verdict? Here's a balanced look at both side of the issue.
The Phone Question
Rules about in-car telephone use are anything but consistent. Depending where you are, you either can or can't use a telephone while operating a vehicle. The same goes for hands-free devices. What politicians often refer to as "the phone question" has become one of the most complex legal quagmires of modern times.
Some argue "why penalize phone users when it's perfectly okay to read, knit, adjust stereo controls and converse with backseat passengers while driving?" Others wonder "if statistics show that using a phone to talk or text is now the number one factor in non-alcohol related crashes, why is it legal to even have a phone in your car?" Both arguments make sense, and point to the unique intersection of technology and vehicle operation.
Too Much Data
One of the big complaints from many drivers is that newer cars inundate them with data. Touch screens are a major distraction for people who would prefer to drive the old-fashioned way, with a standard front console and controls. In addition to touch screens, there are entertainment screens that some models place on sun visors for easy viewing. It's possible for the driver to not only see but also hear movies, concerts and interactive games that passengers play. Robotic voices also interfere with the driver's concentration as they yell out temperatures, route directions and more.
Collision Avoidance Saves Lives
One of the best new features on cars are collision avoidance systems. It gives drivers ample time to avoid deadly crashes and has withstood the test of time. The systems have been on cars for more than a decade now, and several wide-ranging studies have shown them to be real life savers for drivers of all abilities. Say what you will about distracting touch screens, collision avoidance systems are one of the best examples of how technology can work to make driving safer for everyone on the road.
Lane Change Alerts Save Lives
Like their cousin, the collision avoidance system, lane change alert is a work of genius. They serve to wake up sleepy operators who begin to veer across white and yellow lines. Additionally, they do their best work when they simply catch the attention of a distracted person who has gotten lost in music, a telephone call or their own thoughts.
Future is Uncertain
Politicians are of two minds about automotive tech, and laws already on the books are a strange mix of encouragement and discouragement for modern technology in vehicles. For example, some municipalities outlaw all forms of texting and phone use while operating a motor vehicle. Others have no laws against the practice at all. Still, law enforcement agencies in other cities turn a blind eye to distracted driving. While other towns have strict rules that levy large fines even on drivers who use hands-free devices.
