Can Phone Manufacturers Help Solve America’s Distracted Driving Epidemic?

Public safety officials and lawmakers are desperate for solutions to prevent distracted driving crashes. Lawmakers in states across the country have considered harsher punishments to deter distracted driving, such as fines or license suspension. However, options such as harsher punishments may be more effective if combined with other solutions. Just because motorists may be fined does not mean they will not use their phones behind the wheel. All states have laws addressing distracted driving to some extent. Crashes caused by motorists texting or browsing behind the wheel continue to happen in these states. Solutions created by technological innovation may also play a big role in solving this public safety crisis.A recent article published by Wired makes a good point: solutions for preventing distracted driving should have a firm understanding of how people use mobile technology. It is ironic that technology is the cause behind distracted driving crashes, but also a possible solution. Automakers and smartphone manufacturers could develop solutions that prevent distracted driving.

How Can Phone Manufacturers Prevent Distracted Driving Crashes?

Phones could utilize “driving mode” to help prevent distracted riving crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expressed support for this idea. If implemented correctly, this idea would prevent many features on phones from working while people are driving. Apps, text messaging, and even nonemergency phone calls could be blocked.In some ways, the feature would be similar to airplane mode. Just in case you do not know what airplane mode is, it is a feature on mobile devices that restricts radio communications while on commercial aircraft.There are some challenges to this solution. Smartphones would have to identify drivers and not passengers. This can only be possible if smartphones work with vehicle infotainment systems. Many cars on the road still do not have these features, so driving mode may have limited success. Smartphone manufacturers would also have to agree to implement these changes. Although NHTSA has issued voluntary guidelines on driving mode to smartphone manufacturers, it has no regulation authority over the handheld consumer electronics industry. There is also the possibility the self-driving car market will explode faster than expected, beating this possible solution to the punch. While this idea is not perfect, that does not mean it should be discarded.App manufacturers can also pitch in to help with America’s distracted driving problems. Some app creators and wireless carriers have already developed software that prevents or discourages phone use while driving. AT&T’s DriveMode app for iPhones prevents phone calls and text messages from reaching drivers. Sprint’s Drive First and T-Mobile’s DriveSmart apps have similar features. Apps developed by third parties such as SafeDrive or Cellcontrol also claim they can prevent distracted driving by blocking certain smartphone features.There are downsides to using apps as a solution. Unless required by parents or an employer, people may choose not to use the apps. They are voluntary.Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions to this public safety problem. It will likely take a combination of forces and laws to come together and solve this issue.One of the worst aspects of distracted driving crashes, is that they are preventable. These tragedies do not have to happen in the first place. Individuals hit by distracted drivers and their family members deserve the chance to seek justice. They deserve to know they will be taken care of after being harmed by these tragedies. Our attorneys can help in this regard. The Texas car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC will fight insurance companies on your behalf and hold distracted drivers accountable.

Will 2017 Be the Year Texas Gets a Distracted Driving Law?

Several months ago, we published a blog discussing how Texas is one of four states in the US without a universal ban on distracted driving. That may soon change. The 85^th Legislature recently convened in Austin, and lawmakers are filing bills by the hundreds. State Representative Tom Craddick is making a fourth attempt to pass a distracted driving law. If House Bill 62 is passed by Legislature and signed by Governor Greg Abbott, drivers reading, texting or sending messages could receive fines.There are existing laws that place restrictions on mobile phone use while driving, but they are limited. Cities and small towns have passed their own ordinances banning mobile phone use. Texas law bans motorists under 18 from using phones while driving except during emergencies. Bus drivers are also banned from using mobile phones while driving. Finally, you cannot use mobile phones in school zones in our state.Despite existing rules, Texas lacks a centralized law banning distracted driving for the majority of motorists.

Do We Need a Distracted Driving Law?

Statistics and news headlines make a powerful argument for preventing accidents caused by distracted driving – through state laws or other means. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,179 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2014. Another 431,000 suffered injuries that same year. Texas Department of Transportation statistics show 100,000 distracted driving accidents happen in our state every year, many of which are caused by mobile phone use.The stories of families who have lost loved ones to these accidents also make a powerful argument for preventing distracted driving.For example, the story behind Craddick’s legislation is a powerful example of how distracted driving can destroy lives. House Bill 62 is also known as the Alex Brown Memorial Act. In 2009, 17-year-old Alex Brown crashed her truck on the way to school. She was texting four friends when she crashed on a rural road at 70 miles per hour. Alex’s parents launched the Remember Alex Brown Foundation, and Craddick has, on multiple occasions, named his anti-distracted driving legislation after the girl. There are thousands of stories like this happening across the country every year.In many cases, distracted drivers or the people they hit suffer catastrophic injuries. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, burns and broken bones are commonplace.Opponents of a distracted driving law claim it would infringe on the personal freedom of Texas citizens. Other opposing arguments suggest the law’s fines would do little to stop distracted driving. In addition, opponents also claim other forms of distracted driving, such as applying makeup or using a GPS, are equally dangerous.Where do you stand on this issue? Let us know by connecting with the Texas car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC on Facebook.

Can We Prevent Car Crashes Caused by Apps?

Distracted driving has become a major cause of car crashes across the United States. Recent statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest smartphone use is partially to blame. Fatal car crashes increased by 10.4 percent in the first six months of 2016, compared to the same period last year. According to NHTSA, distracted driving caused 3,477 traffic fatalities last year, an increase of 8.8 percent since 2014. Recent news has highlighted how apps are responsible for many distracted driving crashes.Drivers using apps like Facebook Live, Snapchat and Pokémon Go have caused high-speed car crashes. Some of these crashes have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries.In one case, a motorist taking selfies with Snapchat’s speed filter feature crashed into an Uber driver at more than 100 miles per hour. The Uber driver suffered a severe brain injury. Another case involving the speed filter resulted in five fatalities. The responsible driver was travelling at 115 miles per hour, when he slammed into a Toyota minivan carrying a mother and her two children. The at-fault driver, his passenger and the mother and her two children died in the collision.Snapchat’s speed filter feature is a perfect example of how apps are causing serious car accidents. The speed filter allows users to record how fast they are going while taking selfies. When users post these selfies or videos to their profiles, the app displays the speed for their friends. Snapchat has defended its speed filter by claiming it comes with a warning that it should never be used while driving. Unfortunately, it appears several users have ignored the warning. This is the crux of the problem. Users can just ignore the warning and use the app while driving.

Can Smartphone Manufacturers Prevent Distracted Driving Crashes?

NHTSA recently caused a controversy for asking phone manufacturers to lock apps for drivers. Phones would work with vehicle infotainment systems to prevent apps from working.Ideally, this means the infotainment system could identify the driver and prevent certain features on their phones from working. Passengers could still use their phones. Some vehicle manufacturers have already installed similar features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work with infotainment systems and limit app usage. Despite the criticism that NHTSA is overstepping its mandate by asking phone manufacturers to lock phones, these would be voluntary guidelines.NHTSA’s request for a “driver mode” could become an important step in reducing distracted driving crashes nationwide. Other technologies, such as self-driving vehicles, automatic brakes or V2V systems may also help save lives.The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates LLC encourage safe and responsible driving. Depending on the circumstances, distracted drivers can be held liable for car accidents.

How Parents Can Help Their Children Avoid Distracted Driving

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety considers Memorial Day to be the start of the ‘100 deadliest days of driving’ for teenagers. According to the foundation, 60 percent of car accidents among teenagers are caused by distracted driving. Although some of these accidents are caused by other types of distracted driving, such as eating or talking to other passengers, many involve mobile phone use.If you are a parent, there are ways that you can prevent your children from using mobile phones while driving. New technologies can disable mobile phone features while vehicles are in motion. Ironically, even apps can be used to prevent your children from using smart phones while driving. Also consider that your children will learn by example and may adopt your driving habits. It is important for parents to set an example and explain why certain driving habits are dangerous.

Technologies and Apps that May Prevent Distracted Driving

The following technologies and apps can disable phones, filter calls, block text messages and disable other mobile phone programs.Cellcontrol: Cellcontrol uses a Bluetooth device (also called DriveID), an app and an online account to disable phone use while vehicles are in motion. The DriveID device attaches to the windshield and works with the mobile phones of people driving. Parents can use their online accounts to adjust settings for the DriveID device, which will set restrictions for nearby mobile phones. For example, parents could disable apps, calls and texting by adjusting settings for the DriveID device (exemptions can be made for emergency calls). DriveID also uses GPS, so it knows when cars start moving.Lifesaver: Lifesaver is a smart phone app that awards drivers for safe driving habits. The app uses GPS and other features to record phone usage while driving. When users abstain from distracted driving, they can collect points for certain rewards. Parents can set ‘point benchmarks’ that provide specific awards and give an incentive to drive safely.Anti-distracted driving features on new vehicles: Automakers are developing, or have developed, built-in features that disable mobile phone use. For example, Ford’s MyKey feature automatically blocks non-emergency calls and text messages.Technologies and apps might help prevent distracted driving, but parents may have to play a more direct role in ensuring their children are driving safely. As we stated earlier, children learn driving habits from their parents. Sitting down with your children and having a serious discussion about safe driving might stop bad habits from developing in the first place.The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC wish everyone a great summer. Please remember to drive safely.