Despite the fact that studies have proven texting while driving is 4 times as likely to cause an auto accident then driving under the influence of alcohol, automakers and high-tech industries have come together once again to provide the latest technology to distract drivers from…you got it, driving!
High tech industries such as Google see great profit in linking up with automakers to provide the latest and greatest technology. At this years Consumer Electronic Show, the new “infotainment systems” were revealed. These systems comprise of various electronic devices that are set within an automobile’s dashboard. They display information such as 3-D maps/driving directions, high definition video, and web pages. The items will hit the market this year and will soon become standard equipment offered in new vehicles.
Safety advocates believe this could prove to be very dangerous. Research has proven that mobile device usage while driving is an increasing cause of accidents and injuries for both drivers and pedestrians. Unlike Ford’s new system which only will work when the car is in park, Audi’s new system lets drivers pull up websites as they are in motion.
Automakers claim safety is their top priority, however, most of the new infotainment systems leave the driver as the responsible party for limiting their own use.
The industry giants state they are just giving consumers what they want and the things that I-Phones and the Internet have trained them to expect. Safety advocates believe these new options will increase the already alarming statistics of accidents and injuries on the road.
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