Could new technology save lives by putting an end to texting while driving?
Antonio will be fifteen years old in just a few short months! I can’t believe that my little BABY is taller than me, heading to High School, and almost ready to drive! I snapped that picture above when I was working on a really important post about resources for parents and teen drivers. I’m not just worried about my teen becoming a new driver. I’m worried about him being a passenger in a car with someone who risks his life by texting while driving!
He and Pedro are supposed to go to a soccer tournament, soon. It’s close enough to drive to, but far enough away that an overnight stay is the only option. I really wasn’t sure if I’d be able to add a short-notice trip like that into our schedule. The kids’ coaches began begging me to let the kids ride along with them, if I couldn’t swing it. Um…..No! No! No! No! No! I haven’t even told them what I’m about to tell you. I don’t trust them. It’s not really them. The problem is, texting and driving is an epidemic. I can be sure that I have a way to reach my kids, and that a coach is a responsible supervisor, and that there is a seat belt for every passenger. What I don’t know, and have no real way of knowing, is their driving habits. Do they text and drive? The kids would probably be fine going with their coaches. They’ve even gone to local games with their coaches or parents of other teammates. I just can’t wrap my head around sending them on a 4-5 hour trip, with someone who might be texting while driving! (This is so inappropriately placed, but I have to tell you: WordPress is red-underlining the word texting because it think’s it’s not a word. Welcome to 2014. YES, it is!) Back to this new technology and how I found out about it!
So, I’m so stressed out about this trip and what I’m going to do, that I couldn’t sleep. Trust me, I’m tired. I started going through my emails, and noticed one from a PR company. I get a ridiculous amount of unsolicited emails per day. Honestly, it’s too many to read every one. So, I skim the headers when it’s from a PR company. This particular email caught my attention because somewhere in the middle of the subject line, it said, “help save lives…” Obviously, I had to read that! It followed with:
FAU Signs Licensing Agreement for a Patent that Disables Cellphone Texting Features While Driving
This is such a relevant topic, I didn’t want to miss even one detail. So, I’ve re-published the entire Press Release. It’s amazing what technology can do to make our lives better and save lives! Did you know that there is even special hardware and software that some repetitive DUI/DWI drivers are required to install on their vehicles? Yep! They are called Ignition Interlock Devices. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, they can lead to a 40-95% reduction in the rate of repeat drunk driving offenses among offenders as long as the IID remains on the vehicle.
Texting while driving is a hot-button issue!
I did a little search for other potential new technology and found an article on Business Insider about a new technology proposed by Apple. Texting while driving has become a public safety issue. Tech solutions are already in the making to find solutions that will save lives. With technology leading the way, I imagine that our Government will be stepping in with even stricter guidelines and consequences for people who continue the dangerous habit of texting while driving.
What are you thoughts about this? Do you think that technology is the answer? Should the government step in with stricter guidelines and consequences? Let us know what YOU think!
By: Alicia Gonzalez
