Multi-tasking drivers are busy people. They’re busy texting, emailing, calling or tweeting. They’re also busy killing and maiming thousands of Americans because they place more importance on trivial exchanges with pals miles away than on paying attention to the road ahead.
Such multi-taskers are as bad as drunk drivers, studies show. Indeed, with their erratic behavior and slowed reaction times it’s hard to tell the difference. But since so many more distracted drivers than drunk drivers ramble our roads, the yakkers and texters are making one difference, all right: They’re becoming America’s new No. 1 traffic threat.
Harvard researchers have found that 2,600 Americans die and 570,000 more are injured in a year’s worth of traffic accidents because of one thing: distracted driving. Yet as bad as it is, it will only get worse, because the computer and auto industries are placing profits above safety. Astonishingly, given the carnage so far, they’ll soon sell computer screens on car dashboards.
Intel Corporation and Google are leading the charge, planning front-seat computer screens under the guise of “progress.” Let’s see: Getting more Americans killed and maimed is progress? Terrorists might agree, but reasonable Americans would not.
Unveiled at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev., these devices will include 10-inch screens above a car’s gear shift featuring Web pages, 3D maps and high-definition videos. The New York Times says such “infotainment” systems will reach the market later this year.
Audi has an in-dash computer planned for the fall – and will try to salve its conscience by having this appear when the system activates: “Please only use the online services when traffic conditions allow you to do so safely.” Relying on drivers’ discretion and common sense hasn’t worked so far. What makes Audi think this will be different – especially after a consumer pays money for the in-dash computer?
Audi and Ford say they’ll have built-in constraints to ease Americans’ transition to driving while web-surfing. For one, access to certain functions will be reduced when a car is in motion. But the distracting screen will still beckon – like the personal laptops which caused airline pilots to overshoot their destination by 150 miles.
If you or a family member is harmed by a distracted driver, Jim S. Adler & Associates will get their attention — via a car accident lawsuit.
Jim S. Adler & Associates is a longtime Texas personal injury law firm with offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Channelview. The law firm offers a free case review and represents victims of auto, car, SUV, truck, motorcycle, bus and other traffic accidents.