The availability of technology for driving vehicles has made it easier for people to use cars. But does the presence of technology create a negative impact on driver safety? Questions have emerged whether modern gadgets have led to an increase in distracted driving. By definition, distracted driving occurs when people attend to other tasks that steer their attention away from the road environment. Texting on your phone is one of the most common reasons that contribute to a distracted form of driving. To know if you are subconsciously an easily distracted type of driver, it’s best to answer some driving theory tests. These tests help you recognise the dangers of being inattentive to the road, while improving a sense of safety for yourself and the general public.
Driver issues
The subject of debate in the premise of distracted driving has led many experts to conclude that technology is not the culprit, but the level of discipline in a driver. There have been plenty of new tools that help prevent drivers from texting while driving. Although these have been beneficial, driver education remains a paramount priority. For instance, the Governors Highway Safety Association in the U.S. has placed a greater focus on the importance of raising awareness on informing drivers about the risks of using technology while on the road. Rather than blaming technology for road accidents, experts say the person behind the wheel is still responsible for being a safety-oriented driver.
“You can’t really talk about distraction and technology without considering the social context in which it happens because the social influences have always pushed bad behaviour, even if you have good technology”, said Nic Ward, Montana State University professor of mechanical and industrial engineering. A change in social perspective of always being connected to the mainstream world could also help in reducing cellphone-induced distracted driving, Ward added.
Similar to seat belt laws, educating drivers on keeping their phones away could be likely achieved with a higher probability. This could be possible with the introduction of regulatory policies in combination with law enforcement.
High-tech solutions
A Virginia-based company in the U.S. is developing a new device that could help police officers apprehend drivers who are busy with their phones. No matter how good you may balance your attention in between driving and your phone use, the new tool would still inform law enforcers about drivers who keep their hands on the phone instead of putting them on the wheel. ComSonics is the company behind the new device. Although there is no name for it yet, production is slated to begin in the near future. The new device is expected to function just like a radar gun, which police officers use to catch speeding vehicles as soon as the device detects a signal. Local driver Ken Posner believes the new device would surely help improve the level of safety on roads. “I think it’s a great thing,” he said. “It would encourage me, as well as other people to be more careful about doing it.”
Photograph by NRMA