FCC/DOT Want High-Tech Cure For Distracted Driving 432
coondoggie writes "The Federal Communications Commission and the US Department of Transportation are teaming up to develop what they called high-tech solutions to the growing problem of distracted or inattentive drivers. The DOT and FCC said they will set up a working group to evaluate technology-based answers to the distracted driving problem and will improve outreach efforts to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving, talking on cell phones while driving, and other distracting behavior that can lead to deadly accidents, the agencies stated." Meanwhile, Korea has overturned a ban on dashboard TV-watching for taxi drivers.
Here's the cure (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Simple (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Here's the cure (Score:2, Interesting)
Travel using the common means of the day is a right, and the supreme court has ruled as much.
Re:audio/video (Score:2, Interesting)
I'll never forget the graphic drunk-driving presentation we got in high school.
The picture of a dude with a rear view mirror inside his skull was a pretty convincing reason to not drive drunk. Only the windshield mount part was sticking out of his head.
(CAPTCHA: blockage :P)
Re:Here's the cure (Score:3, Interesting)
Banning violent video games = nanny state.
Seat belt law = nanny state.
There is a key difference between the items listed above and attempts to stop distracted driving. Items listed above are an attempt to protect us from ourselves. Distracted (or drunk) driving is an attempt to protect you or me from someone else, notably the nut texting her boyfriend who plows her 8 ton SUV into the side of your Prius.
Re:Why bother? (Score:5, Interesting)
It never occurred to you that just because nobody died in the accident that doesn't mean there weren't other consequences?
Re:Dashboard Cam (Score:1, Interesting)
A pharmacologically induced state whereby the subject perceives this to be the case whilst remaining safe and secure in government operated care facilities is the best way to reduce traffic accidents.
Re:Simple (Score:3, Interesting)
Then again, I'm an exception
Re:Here's the cure (Score:2, Interesting)
Do you have kids? Because I'm not a fan of my $5K/year property taxes with 70% of that going to our local school district, when I don't have kids.
Re:Here's the cure (Score:2, Interesting)
It's amazing how quickly a poor driver can learn to pay attention if you have them drive a VW bus.. where the vehicle ends about 15 inches in front of your face right where the glass is.
Re:Here's the cure (Score:3, Interesting)
Getting rid of the driver is the only practical high tech cure. Not only does it solve distracted driving, it also solves the problems of drunk driving, falling asleep at the wheel, and getting too old to drive safely. On top of that, it will prevent nearly 40,000 deaths, 2.5 million injuries, and $240 million a year in accident costs in the U.S. alone.
Look at the features on high end cars like the Lexus LS - lane assist, automatic parking, collision avoidance, etc. In ten to fifteen years, we'll start seeing the first autonomous vehicles. Thirty years from now, we'll all be wondering how we could have ever been so crazy as to let humans actually do the driving.
Re:Here's the cure (Score:5, Interesting)
I want to live in an educated society that promotes personal responsibility. That doesn't mean couples with children should get to freeload on everyone else's hard work. Be prepared to shoulder the costs you've incurred by the decisions you've made, or don't make the decision. It's that simple. Anything else is whining.
Re:Here's the cure (Score:2, Interesting)
By this reasoning, since most accidents happen in the home, it's the job of the government to regulate your house and reduce medicare/health costs. This means wearing gloves while cooking, or else you'll be fined. Ditto if you climb a ladder - that will be banned. Hire a professional to do repairs or change a bulb in your house. Or yeah, and no more knives allowed that have points on them.
This will of course all be monitored by camera, to ensure compliance with the law. We will, at last, know an accident-free society in our time! Thank you. I'll be running for the presidency in 2012 as the National Socialist Party (democrat for short).
Re:Dashboard Cam (Score:4, Interesting)