Mobile phones have long had features such as "airplane mode" or "flight mode" installed. These features intentionally prevent interference with the phones electronic devices that control aircraft. However, those features do not have much use with road users, except block any incoming or outgoing phone calls or text messages. Even with the loss of mobile phone signals, the driver still has the ability to use other apps, like Wi-Fi, when the phone is in "flight mode".
The NHTSA Wants iPhone And Samsung To Make The Road Safer
Federal auto safety regulators want phone makers, such as iPhone and Samsung among others, to add a "driver mode" to their cell phones. The goal is to keep the drivers' attention on the road instead of getting distracted with the cell phones. According to NY Times, this initiative comes in the form of a voluntary guideline that was issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Wednesday. This decision came finally after reviewing the spike in traffic fatalities for the past two years due to distracted drivers.
The guideline is for phone companies to design operating systems that will limit the functions and to have a simple interface when the vehicle is on the go. They are requesting to develop a kind of technology that senses if the phone is being used while a person is driving. The NHTSA wants the technology to determine only if the driver is using the device and for the other vehicle occupants not to be affected.
The Real Reason For The Guideline Request
Highway fatalities increased to 10.4 percent just in the first six months of 2016. That percentage is the highest number of road fatalities due to traffic in 50 years. One major concern is that these deaths are being caused by distracted drivers who are using their phones during driving. Another angle being looked upon is the economy, high gas prices and low employment rate caused American drivers to drive faster than they should. With the notion that they can save more fuel if they arrive faster to their destination. Or fear that they might lose their job if they do not arrive on time at their offices or workplace.
Looking just at the data may not be enough, but having the driver mode app can be a start to at least lower down highway accidents, injuries, and fatalities. According to studies, drivers are tempted to accept calls, read or send text messages when stopped at the traffic light or while driving. Games and other applications can also be added as a temptation for the driver to look at their phones even for just a second, which could be deadly. Some incidents show a number of drivers that were playing the new Pokemon Go app, which caused another increase in road accidents.
Everyone Is Hoping For Innovation To Save Lives
The accidents caused by drivers who were playing Pokemon Go, however, gave the idea that it is possible to determine if the phone is being used while on a moving vehicle. Most new cars also have infotainment systems now that links their car to their phones, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, giving no reason for the driver to look away and glance at their cellphone. Everyone is hoping that this technology gets developed real soon as everyone on the streets is in danger unless someone comes up with the best possible solution. We are keeping our hopes up that drivers can think about the lives that matter before even thinking of picking up their mobile device while at the back of the steering wheel.
