Technology That Prevents Distracted Driving Accidents

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Baltimore Accident Lawyers: Technology That Prevents Distracted Driving AccidentsDistracted driving and texting are becoming the leading cause of traffic fatalities in our nation, with 16 percent of all fatal car accidents attributed to drivers using cell phones while driving. Nearly two million people were fatally injured in car accidents around the world in 2016, which is prompting safety experts, car manufacturers, and technology innovators to create solutions to reduce this growing number of fatal injuries.

The National Safety Council believes the problem contributing to the rising number of traffic fatalities has more to do with driver behavior than with any vehicle defects. Smartphones and devices are the leading causes of distraction for drivers who use them for navigational systems, music, cell phones, and text messaging while they are actively engaged in driving.

As the world embraces technology and its fast-paced innovations, safety experts are working with car manufacturers, cell phone companies, and software developers to design technology that will prevent drivers from engaging in distracted driving. The new iPhone iOS 11 premiering in September 2017 will include technology that allows drivers to put their phone into a “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode. The software will prevent text messages from appearing on the phone’s screen while sending an automated reply indicating that the individual is driving. Other cell phone companies have already made use of this technology.

The iPhone system will also detect when the user is in a moving vehicle and will display a message that the do not disturb mode is engaged if the driver is attempting to use the phone. Drivers are able to override the system by hitting an “I’m not driving” icon, which may encourage more people to use the software. Samsung has a similar system that has an “I’m driving so I cannot answer at the moment” reply to incoming messages when a GPS system on the phone distinguishes that it is in a moving vehicle.

Safety Helps Business Owners

Business owners are embracing new technology developed by Cellepathy that is able to determine whether the phone is being used by a driver or a passenger. For companies that provide cell phones to their employees that are on the road, the technology enforces the company’s safety policies by preventing distracted driving. Nissan is leading the way for car manufacturers with its newly designed Faraday Cage installed in the armrest of its Nissan Juke car. Drivers plug their phone into the base unit that blocks out all incoming messages. The driver can still charge the phone or play music through it by connecting it to a USB cord in the armrest.

Baltimore Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Injured Car Accident Victims Claim Compensation

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, the experienced Baltimore accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton can help you claim the compensation you may be entitled to receive. Call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529), or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.

Our offices are conveniently located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson and serve clients throughout Maryland, including Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the towns of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridegwood, and Elkridge.