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Car Tech: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars?
- 5/22/07 5:29 PM
It depends
by Lipl1 - 5/30/07 9:32 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
Cell phones are good for emergency calls (real not pls pickup a gallon of milk on the way home). GPS only if it has voice guidance so you don't squint at the little 4 inch screen
It is too late to limit ourselves from our distractions!!!
by jafune - 5/30/07 9:40 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
Learning to drive. We all started the same way. It was our first time in traffic. There were no distractions except a nervous adult sitting next to us. We were in the middle of an intersection waiting for traffic to clear so we could make a left turn. Then, the light turned red. Do we turn, back up, or just put the car in park, get out and resign ourselves to a life of public transportation? We had that one task to perform, single focus, and it seemed so hard.
Fast forward a decade or more later. Again, we are in the middle of an intersection making the left turn except now we are drinking coffee with one hand, turning the wheel with the other, pushing the HD radio volume button on the steering wheel with a finger on the driving hand and telling a caller (while in hands free mode) to hold on while we yell out the window to our kid to be home in time for dinner, while one foot pushes the gas and the other lets out the clutch, and our GPS is telling us to turn left in 15 feet while our gas gauge just flashed on and displayed how many miles are left before empty. "We've come a long way, baby."
I'll give away my age here, but thinking about all these simultaneous distractions reminds me of the performer on Ed Sullivan's TV show who spun plates on top of long sticks. He kept setting up spinning sticks/plates on the table until ... one fell. We have added our own sticks/plates to our cars in the form of conveniences. We added them, one at a time until collectively, we have realized, "Houston, we have a problem."
There is a finite end to our ability to manage distractions. And most likely some of us can handle multiple distractions well, while others don't get much past just learning to make that left turn. So, do we dumb down to the lowest common denominator, i.e., no phones, no GPS, no DVD's in the back seats, no connectors or broadcasters for our iPods?
I think we have crossed the line already and we can't/won't go back. We have all these things now, and whether we are geeks distracted by toys, mobile warriors getting crackberry fixes while the guy in traffic next to us is reading the paper WHILE DRIVING, or the woman driving next to us applies makeup while in cruise control, we allow ourselves to be distracted from the job of aiming a 2000+ lb. car going 60 mph without hitting another car, or worse, a pedestrian.
Certainly, as an evolved culture we handle more distractions than ever before while keeping a focus. And some people are in the 99th percentile and they can do it all at the same time. The problem is the people who can't, may find out they can't, the hard way. I read an article some years ago from Northwestern University's Safety Institute that said the better drivers have lower IQ's. The higher IQ'ed people make driving an intellectual event. They think about turning the car left and then turn the steering wheel to the left. They build in a "think about it step" that adds just an extra moment to acting and that can make the difference between a hit or a miss. The lower IQ's learn by rote and they become the steering wheel and brake. They see a problem ahead and their response is instantaneous, no thinking, just reacting. To me this means that the number of distractions that we think we can handle is inversely related to our ability to handle them.
We might need these gadgets, but no one will force limits on us. There won't be insurance tests to tell us how many distractions we can safely handle. There won't be limiters in the car to prevent us from rolling down the window while we make a left turn while we adjust the seat. Our cell phones won't automatically shut off when deers run in front of the car.
But, after the fact, there will be police investigations to discover whether we were on the cell phones or sending text messages when we plowed into the back of a garbage truck. And there will likely be little black boxes that will record what buttons we were pushing to program our GPS' when our car sideswiped the mailbox. That is reality. We will not limit ourselves before the fact. We cannot and will not do it. After the fact, lawyers and police will find ways to amass evidence to prove that we were distracted just before our accidents. It will be the first thing they look for.
Maybe one day, there will solid evidence that talking to our spouses after work is distracting and that it is the cause of such a high number of accidents that we will be prevented from calling or answering calls from our spouses during specific hours, unless we are stopped or connected through 911. Someone will collect that data and use it to smack us with another reminder that these gadgets create safety, convenience and a more enjoyable ride, except when all of them are used at the same time.
JAFUNE
GPS units in cars!
by LouisCiola - 5/30/07 9:49 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I personally own a Garmin Street Pilot 2720 and a Garmin Nuvi 660. Both units are excellent and do not require you to take your eyes off the road for even a minute to use them. Right now, I have my Nuvi 660 on a windshield suction cup right underneath the rear view mirror. While the tendency initially may be to watch the unit, with the annunciation chime and the voice, you really don't have to look at the unit at all to correction follow directions. The unit will chime and then say "in .8 miles please take exit 4 B on right!" Now, you absolutely do not need to look at either the 2720 Street Pilot or the Nuvi 660 to have it navigate for you. Once you learn to trust the unit, you would never be without one. Both Garmins also have a lockout feature where you cannot adjust the programming of the GPS while you are driving. In addition, a warning is given right up front not to watch the unit or try to adjust it while you drive. Personally, I think that the cell phones are the worst as far as interfering with focus and concentration. However, there are many systems, such as the GM Onstar, which allows you to drive and talk hands free! The Onstar System also has the option of navigation as well.
I think like anything else, it's up to the drive in charge to be mature and responsible in what they are doing.
I once attended a mandatory driver's ed class (yes I got a speeding ticket) and one of the guys there got a ticket for reading a book while he was driving. Now, trying to study for an exam while you are driving is just plain nuts. So is trying to put on make up, shave or whatever the hell else people do. Now, granted if you are on a long stretch of road you might get away with it, but still, you are vulnerable to some emergency situation that you didn't count on. A tractor-trailor throws a tire tread, a deer jumps out in front of you at night, the car up ahead goes into a skid and so on. There are a million things that could happen, and it's that one time when you are not paying attention that you will be caught flat footed and get into real trouble.
True story. A DC-10 jumbo jet was having a problem with the landing gear. They weren't sure if it was just the light or the gear wasn't really down. In the process of looking at the landing gear light, the pilot bumped the disengage button on the auto pilot and the plane literally flew into the ground, because no one was paying attention to flying the plane!
Above all else, the driver must pay attention to driving the car, not talking on the cell phone, adjusting the GPS, putting on make-up, eating a sandwhich, adjusting the radio and so on. We're human, and we've all been guilty at one time or another of not paying close attention. Maybe some of us got real lucky and nothing happened, while we were fiddling with the radio, or talking on the phone or whatever. But, we were all just lucky.
The real driving pro keeps their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. I have a 2005 Toyota Camry and I love the fact that the radio is completely controlled at the steering wheel! Once the stations are programmed in, it is totally unecessary to lean forward and fiddle with the radio to adjust it. That is definitely a safety feature.
Cell phones and driving
by pwhite777 - 5/30/07 9:52 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I believe it is foolish to drive and talk on a cell phone or operate a GPS system while driving. It makes you a menace to yourself and other drivers to perform any action which detracts from your attention to driving.
It takes very little time to pull to the side of the road, activate your emergency flashers and make a phone call or check your GPS location. Even a hands free voice activated system distracts you. Having a conversation on the phone takes away from concentration on your driving. Any other method is irresponsible in the extreme.
Use of cell phones and GPS systems while in the car
by coffeycup - 5/30/07 10:02 PM In reply to: Cell phones and driving by pwhite777I do believe that we should be able to use cell phones and GPS systems in the car - but you must be responsible about how you use them. They can be a distraction just as can eating, drinking, carrying on a conversation with someone else in the car, putting on make-up, trying to mind the children in the back seat, etc. It all comes down to being a responsible driver. Both the cell phone and/or GPS system can be critically important to the safety of the occupants of a car in certain situations unlike many of the other distractions mentioned.
For technology
by Cambi - 5/30/07 9:53 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I happen to think cell phones are a safety feature for women driving alone. Also spoken GPS directions are certainly safer than consulting paper maps while driving to find out whether the next exit is to the left or to the right.
I am for GPS & Cell Phones. I am Against Idiots.
by Jammer1957 - 5/30/07 9:54 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I am for GPS and Cell phones.
What these people said in this poll is basically how I feel.
treet007 bobbiev shiloslim joseer rwewe9 vicmill jimmucklin kladybug
The problem I believe is knowing your limits and when to terminate/ignore the distractions to concentrate on driving. I have a hands-free phone, but I do not always answer it. I even tell the listener on the phone to "standby" if I am making turns or something requires my attention. Using GPS, radio, eating, etc. is the same situation. I would pull over to a parking lot if I had to do a lot on the GPS (like entering my destination), then I would resume my driving once I am ready to concentrate on my driving. If I have a passenger who talks a lot, I actually would (and did in some occassions) ask the person to hush since he/she is distracting my driving, or if time permits, take a break from driving by going to a rest stop or restaurant to finish chatting.
No amount of technology will solve the human piece of the puzzle. Only the human him/herself can solve that.
Not everyone is capable of concentrating on their driving no matter what the circumstances.
We have a voice- command GPS. Took it along on a visit to Texas. Once our home base was nailed down it was tremendously helpful in getting us back no matter where we went. But the thing I liked most about it was the tremendous advantage it affords while driving in the dark. It is sometimes very hard, almost impossible to spot street signs as you try to find your way. The voice on the GPS tells you when to turn, no need to be trying to peer into the darkness to see where you are.
This is a tremendous advance in driving safely in "uncharted waters."
Some people cannot talk and drive at the same time, because they get easily distracted.
We should ticket and heavily fine people who are driving distracted. Better than banning the items, penalize the the dangerous and irresponsible behavior.
My GPS has made me a much safer driver in areas I don't know very well. I am much more relaxed, I do less slowing down at odd times, I am not staring into the distance hoping to read signs or building numbers a half mile ahead, and I am much less of a problem to those around me.
some people should not be allowed to drive let alone try to work a piece of electronics.
I use my cell on a need to know basis, never to chat. But I see and know people who have them glued to their heads.
Jammer1957
biggest threat
by Chiandria - 5/30/07 10:22 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
There is one other issue that has made me mad. Is the driving while intoxicated. IF a person is found to be intoxicated they should loose their license. They should be allowed one DUII Take multiple classes and go to a treatment center for 30 days. As well as a 10.000.00 dollar fine and all hospital bills if they hit someone. As well as property damages. If they get a second DUII. They need to lose their license permanently. If they get caught driving after that then it is prison for a year. After all what prison are the people they hit living in.
Thanks
Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars?
by worstron - 5/30/07 10:36 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
Against cell phones 100%.
GPS,haven't really decided but propably 60% against.
re: gadgets in cars
by aggiemomster - 5/30/07 10:52 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
IF the on-dash maps & installed phones do what they're supposed to do, you'll have fewer distracted drivers. Like everyone else, I multi-task. I am a mom, so I don't have much choice. BUT, I make sure one hand & one eye are ALWAYS on the road. Now if they'd hard-wire a baby mirror, I wouldn't have to referee the back seat so much!
Not overly thrilled with the GPS; it does NOT always know the best route or even have better directions. I rely on my internal GPS more. It is a nice tool, but just that; a tool. It's all in how you use whatever tools you have for the job at hand.
Anything can be a distraction
by Gack - 5/30/07 11:26 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
It is not just technology that distracts people. Anything other than driving can distract people. So its a matter of how much of it can we handle. I believe talking on the phone hands free or following GPS directions is not a problem. But things complicate when people make calls or enter new routes etc.
There was an episode of Myth Busters that proved talking on a cell phone can be as bad as being drunk beyond the legal limit of alcohol.
So I think the people who claim they are capable of doing it all and drive well are just too distracted to even realize how impaired they are!
AGAINST!!!!!
by JimiHendrixExperience - 5/30/07 11:26 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I live 45 minutes away, if I travel by Interstate, from my place of employment. Driver In Command was absolutely correct. Every motorist has an obligation not only to self and his/her tribe, but to the other motorists' person, property and tribe, to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. Yammering on cell phones and fiddling with hi-tech devices while driving are unsafe practices that in the best-case scenario annoy motorists who aren't so engaged, and in the worst-case scenario endanger lives. And let's not forget the dashboard DVD players...
You've got your blowhards doing 40 MPH in a passing lane who won't move over because they're trying to make a point, either to the person they're calling, or to the other motorists, or both. In that category you've got your Paris Hilton-types, soccer moms, business folks who conduct commerce from their cars, playa-playas, and folks who are just giddy about the idea that you don't have to stop at a gas station phone booth anymore. They are so distracted by the conversation that they pay no heed to the flow of traffic, and demonstrate a complete lack of regard for other motorists. While you're running your mouth, you're hindering me from getting to work on time, and your lack of attentiveness to the road endangers lives and personal property. What could you possibly have to say to anyone that would justify that?
Then you have your truckers, like FedEx, which routinely employ dual 53-foot trailers and often are no respecters of lanes, so they're already dangerous, especially in the winter, when there's ice and/or snow on the road. The same applies to those trucks that transport cars to dealerships. They're all over the road, and no one likes to drive behind them -- just in case. Add GPS and cell phones to that equation. I'm aware of fatality cases between truckers and passenger vehicles because the operators of the trucks were inattentive and distracted by gizmos. They had to shut the highway down, which impeded my ability to get to work, and messed up a whole bunch of road trips, I'm sure.
"Hands free" or bluetooth is only a half-answer. I'm old-school, so forgive me if I don't understand why people suddenly talk so damned much, all the time. But if you must for whatever reason, please go to the right and allow me to pass. Or better yet, pull over. I know you're ballin' and all that, but why do so at the expense of *my* time and/or safety?
The driver is still the driver
by chickenandporn - 5/30/07 11:30 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
It doesn't matter what distracts a person -- beer, stereo, GPS, mobile phone, thrashing back-seat kids -- the driver is still responsible.
Don't blame the mobile phone: "I was almost killed by a driver with a mobile phone" -- that's silly. I was rear-ended by a huge SUV with a screaming kid in the back, so should we outlaw SUVs, or kids in cars? Was the car, or the kid, responsible for pushing me partway into 55MPH traffic?
The driver is responsible. If that driver has an accident, the driver is still responsible. A drinker knows when his limit is reached, and stops drinking (or does something stupid resulting in jail). A driver should know what his limit is for distraction.
no there yet
by chachosp12 - 5/30/07 11:38 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
i think that eventually driving while operating pretty much anything will be possible becuase i have an acura tl and in my car i could pretty much control any function in my phone and the navigatigation system with my voice. i once used dragon software a whie ago to control my computer and its typing, well it was horrible i thought they would never get anything like that right. But with the ability of speech recognition right now the future will only bring better and easier to use devices in the car.
not everyone has the same skills
by productcheck - 5/30/07 11:42 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I believe that if you can't demonstrate that you can safely drive and use a cell phone at once, you should have a restricted driver license-no cell phone. Whoever allows you to drive like that would be responsible then for the damage you will cause.
Insurance companies are probably pushing the new laws which will save them of their work of sorting out their customers. Right now I don't think they have the power or care to drop anyone just because they use a cell phone. Just my opinion, I have not investigated the issue yet, I may be wrong.
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