U.S. automakers who are racing to add Web-based communications devices to their vehicles could be creating dangerous new distractions, DOT chief Ray LaHood charged. "Let's put safety before entertainment," LaHood said as he opened up a new front in the DOT's war on distracted driving. Speaking at the second Distracted Driving Summit, LaHood noted, "In recent days and weeks we've seen news stories about carmakers adding technology in vehicles that lets drivers update Facebook, surf the Web or do any number of other things instead of driving safely. "Features that pull drivers' hands, eyes … [Read more...]
Distracted driving deaths fall 6 percent
September 21, 2010 by 1 Comment
Deaths related to distracted driving fell 6 percent in 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports. DOT chief Ray LaHood opened the second Distracted Driving Summit with the news that the roadway "epidemic" continues: "We have so much to discuss today because, last year, distraction-related crashes killed at least 5,500 people and injured more than 450,000 others." He said deaths associated with distracted driving accounted for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities last year, warning that the toll could be "the tip of the iceberg," due to inconsistent reporting. The DOT reported that … [Read more...]
Bus driver steers with elbow, reads Kindle
September 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment
This king of distracted driving was busted by a passenger during rush hour in Portland. The driver was put on leave while TriMet transit investigates. … [Read more...]
Dad heads for summit to tell sad tale
September 17, 2010 by 1 Comment
Amos Johnson is headed for the second Distracted Driving Summit in Washington. The North Carolina man will be talking to the media about his daughter, Ashley, who died after trying to retrieve a text message while driving. He tells some of the story in this student-produced video, "TXTNG & DRIVNG -- It Can Wait." More: A Florida man is set to tell the summit about his daughter's distracted driving death. … [Read more...]
Auto Club: Texting & driving soaring
September 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The percentage of people texting and driving has doubled in Southern California, despite the statewide ban on the practice, the regional Auto Club says. The group's "observational" surveys, done only in Orange County, suggest that 2.7 percent of drivers are texting and/or using smart phones at any time. That's roughly double the percentage recorded before California's texting and driving ban went into effect in January 2009. Handheld cell phone use -- illegal under an earlier state law -- held steady at 3.7 percent, the Automobile Club of Southern California said. The Auto Club has … [Read more...]
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