Hands-free texting technology for Dodge

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We have all seen drivers either texting or chatting away on their cellphones while driving and not only is it frustrating to watch how unnerved these drivers are while doing it, it's dangerous too. Distracted driving claims countless lives on our roads and the sad thing is that most of these lives could be spared if drivers simply paid more attention to the task of driving rather than engaging in distracted behaviour.

US automaker Dodge, under Chrysler Group, is developing a system that may alleviate the physical act of sending a text message while driving using hands-free voice responses to send text messages. Computer generated speech reads the received text message and relays it to the driver, who is then able to dictate a response and approve it, which will then be sent via a Bluetooth connected cellphone as a text message. The 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 truck will be the first US-built vehicle to offer the system. The system will be Android and Blackberry compatible but will not be iPhone compatible.

I guess technology can help alleviate the problem, however the problem is a human one and people themselves should consciously avoid using their cell phones while driving. If you are reading this, I urge you to read How to Avoid Distracted Driving and share it amongst your peers, family and work colleagues. People need to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and only then may our roads become safer for all.

News Source: Wheels24

Cell Phone bylaw to reduce Western Cape Death Toll

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A new bylaw prohibiting motorists from using their cell phones while driving has come into effect today in the Western Cape as part of a provincial campaign to reduce road deaths by half come 2014.

Motorists who are caught using their cell phones while driving, including talking or texting, will face a hefty fine of R500 or have their cell phones confiscated for 24 hours.

Distracted driving and cell phone use while driving in particular, is proving to be a major contributing factor to road deaths on South African roads. In 2011 1 321 road deaths occurred in the Western Cape alone.

Distracted driving is a major problem in South Africa and should be taken seriously by motorists who engage in cell phone use while driving. The bylaw will also hopefully set the precedent for the rest of the country’s provinces to enforce stricter laws regarding distracted driving with the aim to reduce deaths on our roads.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think that cell phone use should be banned altogether while driving? Share your thoughts in the comment box below…

News Source: News24

Car Tech can Kill You and Others

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We have all seen it happen. I don’t think a day goes by when you don’t see a motorist chatting away on a cellphone or texting while driving. Distracted driving is a serious problem in South Africa and around the world and will contribute to more deaths on our roads going forward.

As car technology improves by the day, more and more people are tempted to use this technology while driving, dramatically increasing the chances of a serious accident due to negligence on behalf of the driver. Navigation systems, internet connectivity and access to social sites such as Facebook and Twitter while driving all culminate into a deadly mix. In 2010 in the US, 3092 (9.4% of road deaths) people died as a result of distracted driving with 24% of these deaths were related to cellphone use while driving. I can only imagine what the figures are in South Africa?

Motorists are urged to refrain from using cellphones while driving and should rather pull off the road to make a call or send a text message. Drivers are also urged to set navigation systems prior to departure to avoid fiddling while driving. Distracted driving can kill you and those around you. Drive safely, please.