Innovative U.S. automaker Tesla is shutting down its Passenger Play game feature over concerns drivers can be distracted by the games screen. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said a Tesla software update will disable the feature while vehicles are moving. The NHTSA had just announced an investigation into the entertainment system the day before. It said the feature was "visible on the front center touchscreen from the driver's seat, is enabled even when the vehicle is being driven. This functionality ... may distract the driver and increase the risk of a … [Read more...]
New tech, new era of driver distractions
November 5, 2014 by 1 Comment
Lawmakers trying to come to grips with the technology behind distracted driving won't find the going any easier when they get back to work in 2015. Police across the nation already complain that state distracted driving laws are ineffectual in the era of smartphones -- devices that are essentially handheld personal computers. Many state laws were written when cell phone calls were the main concern -- and even text messaging was a relatively new phenomenon. Among the high-tech products distracting drivers -- and challenging lawmakers in 2015: Google Glass: Wearable technology that … [Read more...]
E-dashboard guidelines issued
April 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the final version of its "common sense" guidelines for vehicles' built-in communications, entertainment and navigation devices. The guidelines, which are "non-binding" and voluntary, seek to rein in excessively distracting devices in passenger vehicles. They were released April 23 by the DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This first phase of the guidelines address electronic devices installed in vehicles as original equipment -- typically dashboard electronics with visual-manual interfaces. The guidelines call for limits … [Read more...]
Digital dashboards & distracted driving news
October 14, 2010 by 3 Comments
Digital dashboards:A Louisiana legislator seeks to rewrite the state's law regarding drivers and video screens. HB 387 would allow use of split-screen in-dash monitors, found in a few vehicles such as those in the Mercedes S-Class (SplitView). These dashboard screens allow front passengers to watch movies or television while the driver sees only navigational elements. “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 … [Read more...]
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