Distracted Driving

The technology to stop cell phone use behind the wheel has existed for years. Why are so few drivers using it – and why aren't lawmakers making them?

New data shows we're struggling to curb distraction while driving. Is it time to talk about curbing driving instead?

A new vehicle safety tech requirement could save 10,000+ lives a year, a new working group says – but only if we implement it in a thoughtful way that wins public acceptance.

And what will it take to put anti-distraction technologies in every car in America?

The post Smartphones Distract Drivers Behind the Wheel — But Can Could They Also Help Them Pay Attention? appeared first on Streetsblog USA.

A possibly record-breaking sentence for a Florida motorist is prompting a conversation about what the consequences might stop the national epidemic of distracted driving — and who should receive them.

The post Florida Just Sent a Distracted Driver to Jail For 30 Years. Is it Justice? appeared first on Streetsblog USA.

It's more complicated than policymakers assume — and until we dive deep into the psychology of distracted motorists, we'll struggle to convince them to stop or win support for systemic solutions.

Distracted driving in SF is no accident. A new map of cell phone use by drivers in SF reveals where drivers are most likely to use a mobile device, increasing the risk of crashes and injuries, and the pattern is unmistakable.

Distracted driving killed 3,331 people on American streets in 2011, yet car manufacturers continue to outdo each other to add more infotainment distractions in their vehicles. These systems are expected to increase five-fold by 2018, according to AAA. Carmakers seek to show their commitment to safety by making their distractions – onboard dinner reservation apps and social media, for example – hands-free. But a growing body of research indicates that there is no safe way to combine driving with tasks like dictating email or text messages.

SF District Attorney George Gascón and SFPD Traffic Company Commander Mikail Ali held a press conference last Thursday to bring attention to distracted driving, since April is officially National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.