Submitted by Aiken Jacobsen on
Earlier this month, we posted about the potentially distracting dashboard technology which Ford is including in its 2011 models. They are not alone in this. Because the recession has done so much damage to the auto industry, American carmakers have tried to boost sales by offering new entertainment and technology.
Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is fearful that this trend will add to the epidemic of distracted driving. As we have discussed, distracted driving is a danger which seems to be growing with each passing year. 2009 Statistics show that distracted driving was responsible for 5,400 fatal car accidents and another 400,000 accident-related injuries in the U.S. during that year.
LaHood has been visiting with the leaders of major U.S. auto companies. His aim is to urge them to use caution when introducing new interior electronics and other technology. This soft approach is a tactical change for LaHood, who is more known for his tough safety mandates, his public denouncements of Toyota, and his frequent media appearances.
The DOT Secretary has decided to tread lightly when meeting with auto executives, and this is likely due to the government's partial-ownership of both General Motors and Chrysler. LaHood must balance his safety agenda against the risk of financially hurting these struggling car companies. Meanwhile, he hopes to encourage all American automakers to focus on eliminating distracted driving by limiting distracting technology in cars.
With so much emphasis being placed on the dangers of distracted driving, there is increasing support to outlaw practices such as texting while driving. Hopefully, the collaboration between LaHood and U.S. automakers will result in fewer distracting car technologies as well.
Source: CNBC.com, "U.S. seeks help from carmakers on distracted driving," Reuters, 20 January 2011
