This year's CES confirmed that automakers are indeed quickening the pace toward making their vehicles hubs of electronic information and entertainment. "Connected vehicle" systems and safe-driving technologies co-existed and co-mingled at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Toyota and Hyundai unveiled new wireless communications and data systems for their vehicles, while GM's popular OnStar service announced it was expanding into other carmakers' vehicles. Ford rolled out its first electric car, with "wireless connected vehicle services" designed by partner Airbiquity. “The … [Read more...]
Heather Hurd Memorial Highway set
January 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A stretch of Florida's U.S. 27 has been named in the memory of distracted driving victim Heather Hurd. The Jan. 5 ceremony, in Polk County, was attended by the parents of Heather, a 26-year-old whose death was caused by a text-messaging truck driver in 2008. Russell Hurd, who has been active in lobbying for distracted driving laws nationwide, urged Florida legislators to pass its version of Heather's Law during 2011. "We will never hear my Heather's magical giggle ever again," the father said at the ceremony. “Everyone here today has a Heather in their life.” Heather's family is from … [Read more...]
3 more states enforcing DD laws
December 30, 2010 by 2 Comments
New year, new distracted driving laws. Three states -- Delaware, Kentucky and Kansas -- saw their distracted driving laws take full effect as 2011 arrived. In Delaware, the law against driving while text messaging or using a handheld cell phone went into effect Jan. 2. Penalties begin immediately: $50 (first offense), then $100 to $200 for subsequent violations. Delaware's distracted driving bans call for primary enforcement, meaning police can stop and cite motorists for violations without needing another reason. Also prohibited for drivers are Internet activities, game playing and use of … [Read more...]
‘The Last Text’: distracted to death
December 27, 2010 by 1 Comment
Yeah. LOL. Where R. Where U At. All text messages that led to tragedy, as detailed in a new 10-minute "documentary" about distracted driving deaths. AT&T's "The Last Text" video -- professionally produced and impactful -- spends time with those affected by a handful of text messaging deaths: The sister who sent the fatal text; the youth who hit and killed a bicyclist; the passenger declared dead but who survived in a broken body; the mom of teen girl who throws a 19th birthday party for her dead daughter. "All because of a senseless text message," says a state trooper at the site of a girl's … [Read more...]
DOT seeks big rig cell-phone ban
December 21, 2010 by 3 Comments
The federal Department of Transportation wants commercial drivers to shut up and drive. The DOT released a plan Dec. 17 that would ban handheld cell phone use by interstate truckers and bus drivers. "Every time a commercial truck or bus driver takes his or her eyes off the road to use a cell phone, even for a few seconds, the driver places everyone around them at risk," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This proposed rule will go a long way toward keeping a driver’s full attention focused on the road." The DOT cannot tell states how to regulate their roadways -- or outright … [Read more...]
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