Driver Mode on Cell Phones Could Block Apps Causing Distracted Driving

Distracted driving kills thousands of people every year. But government efforts to stop it haven't worked. Now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is turning to cell phone makers, asking them to create a "driver mode" on cell phones that could block the apps taking drivers' attention off the road.

Distracted Driving Can Be Fatal

In 2015, distracted driving was linked to 3,477 deaths. That number represented an 8.8% jump from 2014, when 3,197 motorists were killed and another 424,000 were injured in distraction-related crashes. While there are many forms of distracted driving, the use of cell phones while driving has significantly increased in recent years. As smart phones become smarter and are able to do more things, they become a more tempting distraction. In 2014, over 400 deaths were directly tied to the use of a cell phone.

Cell phones create a particularly dangerous distraction because they are visually, manually, and cognitively distracting. They take drivers' eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and minds off of what they are doing. That makes texting while driving and other cellphone related activities a triple threat, more likely to cause accidents than eating or talking to passengers.

NHTSA Calls on Cell Phone Manufacturers to Stop Distracted Driving

Texting while driving and other cell-phone related activities are illegal in many parts of the country. Here in Michigan, it is illegal to send a text or message while operating a vehicle, or to use a cell phone without a hands free device. But these laws are often not effective deterrents. Young drivers especially continue to report that they text behind the wheel. And that puts them at risk for a serious or even fatal accident.

So the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation are taking things a step further. In its Phase 2 Driver Distraction Guidelines posted for comment on November 21, 2016, the NHTSA provides a voluntary safety framework for the developers of smartphones and other portable electronic devices designed to put an end to distracted driving.

The guidelines propose the creation of a "driver mode" similar to the airplane mode available on modern cell phones. While airplane mode blocks cellular transmission, driver mode would block certain apps from pushing notifications or creating other distractions while a person is driving. The guidelines also encourage manufacturers to create phones that will integrate with vehicles' in-dash computers, and streamline user interfaces that eliminate scrolling text, keypad entry, and distracting videos and graphics. These steps will make working with your cell phone easier, so you will spend less time looking at your phone, and more time watching the road.

Pledge to Stop Distracted Driving Today

You don't have to wait for your next cell phone to help stop distracted driving. The NHTSA is calling on drivers, particularly parents, asking them to pledge to avoid distracted driving. By putting your cell phone out of reach and assigning a designated texter to deal with GPS, messaging, and other phone-related distractions, you can show future drivers just how important it is to drive distraction free.

At Sachs Waldman, we are committed to helping the victims of distracted driving get the remedies they need. We can help you recover benefits from no-fault insurance provider and seek damages for serious injuries from the distracted driver directly. Contact our Detroit personal injury law office at 1-800-638-6722.