Electronics Companies Fight Back Against Proposed NTSB Bans
Personal electronics manufacturers are making a stand against proposed legislation that would eliminate the use of hands-free cell phones behind the wheel. In an open letter to the National Transportation Safety Board, the Consumer Electronics Association voiced their displeasure in the regulations, citing a lack of substantial evidence to effectively kill off a major portion of their industry. The ban is the latest in the federal safety organization's war on distracted driving, but many believe such a restriction is without purpose.
The proposed ban, originally brought forth in December of last year, would bar all calls made from a phone while driving, either through a handheld or hands free phone, or through a phone wirelessly connected to a car's in-vehicle electronics. The use of systems onboard a car, like OnStar, would still be acceptable. Although the five member board has no real authority to mandate such an ordinance, it can influence car manufacturers and law makers to enact their recommendations.
The problem, according to CEA senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs Michael Petricone, is that there is not enough scientific evidence to support the regulation. The rationale for the ban comes largely from generalized research on devices that have the potential to distract drivers. Hands free phones were therefore grouped into the same category as handheld devices. Petricone argues that if the NTSB wants to ban hands free phones, it should also look to ban things like eating and drinking, applying makeup, and engaging with passengers as well, as they require a similar level of focus and action to perform.
The CEA does however support the push to ban handheld devices and text messaging while driving, as well as heavy restrictions towards any cell phone usage for novice drivers. Substantial evidence is available directly linking such an activity with dangerous and fatal accidents. This ban would not be detrimental to electronics companies, as they would still possess the ability to develop and sell their hands free technologies.
To this point, such hands free phones bans have yet to go into effect, though various cell phone regulations have been passed on a state level. Thirty five states have outlawed texting while behind the wheel, and nine have banned the use of handheld phones. Thirty states have also banned all cell phone usage for teens and drivers with graduated licenses, which are partial licenses designed to gradually introduce drivers to the open road.
Federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood agrees with the electronics manufacturers. In a statement released with the NTSB's initial recommendation in December, LaHood clarified that the battle should be focused on hand held devices, and that more research was needed before calling for a ban on hands free technologies. Numerous distracted driving studies have revealed that as many as 5% of drivers on the road at a given time are actively using their cell phones. Before dealing with the potential dangerous of hands free devices, lawmakers and safety organizations need to focus their efforts on keeping cell phones out of drivers' hands whilst on the road. The position held by the transportation secretary has been backed by many of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, including GM, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler Group, LLC.
Whether or not hands free phones are a significant issue in stealing away focus behind the wheel, distracted driving is a serious problem. Cell phones carry the brunt of the danger, taking a motorist's eyeballs off the road ahead and onto their email. While a change in driver behavior would be wonderful, study results show such a change is unlikely. When drivers have the temptation to check their phone and text message their friends, they will do so, even when they are hitting 85 miles per hour on the highway. Because this scenario is but a pipe dream, lawmakers need to step in and punish motorists with wandering eyes.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident, you need help now. The Law Office of Robert Koenig provides their clients with the expert legal help to win results. You can feel confident that the Las Vegas accident lawyers who represent you know your concerns, and the issues you face with crowded roads, freeways, and highways that can lead to automobile, motorcycle, bus, and truck accidents. The Reno accident lawyers know these issues from the inside and out—as legal professionals and as citizens who share the road and live in the communities.
The proposed ban, originally brought forth in December of last year, would bar all calls made from a phone while driving, either through a handheld or hands free phone, or through a phone wirelessly connected to a car's in-vehicle electronics. The use of systems onboard a car, like OnStar, would still be acceptable. Although the five member board has no real authority to mandate such an ordinance, it can influence car manufacturers and law makers to enact their recommendations.
The problem, according to CEA senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs Michael Petricone, is that there is not enough scientific evidence to support the regulation. The rationale for the ban comes largely from generalized research on devices that have the potential to distract drivers. Hands free phones were therefore grouped into the same category as handheld devices. Petricone argues that if the NTSB wants to ban hands free phones, it should also look to ban things like eating and drinking, applying makeup, and engaging with passengers as well, as they require a similar level of focus and action to perform.
The CEA does however support the push to ban handheld devices and text messaging while driving, as well as heavy restrictions towards any cell phone usage for novice drivers. Substantial evidence is available directly linking such an activity with dangerous and fatal accidents. This ban would not be detrimental to electronics companies, as they would still possess the ability to develop and sell their hands free technologies.
To this point, such hands free phones bans have yet to go into effect, though various cell phone regulations have been passed on a state level. Thirty five states have outlawed texting while behind the wheel, and nine have banned the use of handheld phones. Thirty states have also banned all cell phone usage for teens and drivers with graduated licenses, which are partial licenses designed to gradually introduce drivers to the open road.
Federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood agrees with the electronics manufacturers. In a statement released with the NTSB's initial recommendation in December, LaHood clarified that the battle should be focused on hand held devices, and that more research was needed before calling for a ban on hands free technologies. Numerous distracted driving studies have revealed that as many as 5% of drivers on the road at a given time are actively using their cell phones. Before dealing with the potential dangerous of hands free devices, lawmakers and safety organizations need to focus their efforts on keeping cell phones out of drivers' hands whilst on the road. The position held by the transportation secretary has been backed by many of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, including GM, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler Group, LLC.
Whether or not hands free phones are a significant issue in stealing away focus behind the wheel, distracted driving is a serious problem. Cell phones carry the brunt of the danger, taking a motorist's eyeballs off the road ahead and onto their email. While a change in driver behavior would be wonderful, study results show such a change is unlikely. When drivers have the temptation to check their phone and text message their friends, they will do so, even when they are hitting 85 miles per hour on the highway. Because this scenario is but a pipe dream, lawmakers need to step in and punish motorists with wandering eyes.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident, you need help now. The Law Office of Robert Koenig provides their clients with the expert legal help to win results. You can feel confident that the Las Vegas accident lawyers who represent you know your concerns, and the issues you face with crowded roads, freeways, and highways that can lead to automobile, motorcycle, bus, and truck accidents. The Reno accident lawyers know these issues from the inside and out—as legal professionals and as citizens who share the road and live in the communities.
Source...