Driver distraction - biggest problems?

[mchastek]

In-vehicle cell phone use continues to climb, and more concern is being placed on driver safety. Some states, such as New York, have already passed laws banning the use of hand-held cell phones. As more vehicle technology becomes available (such as Navigation screens, or TV screens), drivers have more to be distracted by.

What do you think the solution to this problem is? Are hands-free headsets an answer, or will they just free up a driver's hands that could be distracted elsewhere?

[lcy037]

I think that hands-free sets are not the answer to lessen driver distractions. With so many gadgets avaiable inside the cars, I think that drivers will continually be distracted by their surroundings. Why pay attention to the road when I can just look at my navigational system monitor to see where I am at?

I do think that passing a law that bans the usage of cell phones while driving would be advantageous, such as the one passed in New Jersey.

[Viper 10]

So will hands free cell phone cure drivers from reading newspapers, putting on make-up, putting on nail polish and dicking around with crap in their purses and glove box, or getting a handle on their ut-of-control kids in the back arguing about the Playstation 2 or the movie playing on the DVD? It's only one of the distractions that people have while driving. The problem is about a selfish cultural condition where people have forgotten road courtesy and respect for others on the road.

Give children and adults consequences for their actions and make them accountable... at least it works on my kids and me.

Brad

[Russ]

The simple cure is to eliminate automatic transmissions and power steering. Try doing all of those things while driving without them...can't be done. :)