MOVES TO BLOCK PHONES WHILE DRIVING – ALONG WITH INTRUSIVE CAMERA POLICING
Authorities are investigating radical ways to curb our dangerous and illegal smartphone driving behaviours, including ‘data blocking’ technology to render texting and online connections inactive during travel. A special investigation by WHEELS magazine has also found that intrusive cameras, which can peer inside our cars, are also being developed.
The WHEELS investigation has found authorities have been fighting a losing battle against smartphone behaviours in recent years, and the addictive nature of the technology is forcing a renewed focus on what can be done to curb a real and deadly danger.
“A disturbing trend has developed where people are hiding their phones on their laps, to avoid being caught, and are continuing to text, email and check social media,” notes Editor Alex Inwood.
“It forms part of what is referred to as ‘distracted driving’ which is now estimated to be responsible for a staggering one-in-three fatal and serious crashes.”
PUTTING DEADLY DRIVING DISTRACTIONS ON HOLD
Smartphone use in Australia is at an all-time high. 84-percent of us have access to one and our compulsion is such that surveys suggest many people will check their phones in the middle of the night.
Laws vary from state-to-state, but in Australia, fully licenced drivers can generally use their phones to make a call from their vehicle if it is completely hands-free (utilising voice command and Bluetooth technology). Handling your phone while driving is illegal, but people are hiding their devices on their laps or on the seat next to them and continue to check and use their phones – sometimes while in motion.
Police are increasingly frustrated by the practice and note that the behaviours, when transferred to the open road and a speed limit of 100km/h (which sees a vehicle cover 50 metres in just two seconds), becomes a recipe for disaster. Distracted driving is a key factor in fatal and serious crashes.
NSW has banned Learner and P-Plate Drivers from any phone use whatsoever, and the WHEELS investigation notes Victoria’s moves towards ‘data blocking’ technology to effectively remove the temptation of phone-handling while driving, along with Western Australia’s well-advanced plans for cameras that can peer inside vehicles (raising some privacy concerns from legal advocates).
As part of the special report WHEELS has also put forward a five-point-plan to combat the threat caused by our deadly smartphone driving behaviours.
Wheels Editor Alex Inwood
