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Technological Solution For Texting While Driving Struggles For Traction

An anonymous reader writes: While legislators and police try to tackle the epidemic of distracted driving through education, regulation, and enforcement, Scott Tibbitts is trying to solve it through engineering. He developed a small device which, when plugged into a vehicle, would determine which phone belonged to the driver and shut off its texting and voice call capabilities. "The telematics box sends a wireless message that the car is moving. The phone sends its own message about its location. Both sets of information — from the car and phone — are sent to Katasi's servers. Then, an algorithm weighs the incoming data with other information, like the location of the phones belonging to all the people who drive the car and the starting point of the trip; if the trip starts at Junior's high school, and mom and dad's phones are at work, the driver has been identified — Junior is driving."

The problem is that Tibbitts can't get anyone interested in setting up a system to make these devices ubiquitous. Consumers can't be sold on such a product: all evidence suggests people are increasingly unwilling to be cut off from constant communication. So, he tried working with carriers. Sprint partnered with Tibbitts long enough to test the device, but they were afraid of the legal risks involved. Now, Tibbitts is nursing the technology along, looking for a way to get it into cars and make people safer.

326 comments

  1. A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If someone has so little self-control as to be unable to avoid talking or texting while driving, why are we allowing them to drive in the first place?

    The energy in a 4,000lb vehicle moving at 40-60 mph is considerable.

    Perhaps we need stricter drivers license requirements?

    1. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by damn_registrars · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If someone has so little self-control as to be unable to avoid talking or texting while driving, why are we allowing them to drive in the first place?

      It is against the law pretty much everywhere. However that law is enforced pretty much nowhere. It is just simply too difficult to enforce it, as a police officer has to catch the person in the act to even write a ticket. And then the ticket is so laughably small in terms of the monetary penalty as to be pointless to even write.

      In other words, people do it because they (wrongly) think they can do it safely, and then (unfortunately correctly) believe that they have nearly a zero chance of getting busted for it.

      --
      Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    2. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by sumdumass · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      For the most part, people can safely do it. Well, in a technical sense it is less safe than not texting while driving but so many people do it without incident each and every day that they consider it safe enough for them to do it.

      It is a lot like driving with one hand verses two at the ten and two positions. Many people can safely drive with one hand but it is safer to be in the ten and two positions with two hands which is why we need to do it to pass most driving tests.

    3. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      No, its not like that at all.

      Its a lot more like driving while reading a newspaper, or doing anything else that takes your eyes off the road. If nothing happens that requires a quick reaction from you during the few moments that you are distracted, then nothing bad happens. But if your timing is unfortunate, so is the accident that happens.

      So no, people cannot generally safely do it. It is unsafe, but also commonly uneventful.

    4. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by damn_registrars · · Score: 2

      For the most part, people can safely do it.

      For certain very lucky values of "safely", sure. Taking your eyes completely off the road to do something is, quite simply, never a good idea.

      Well, in a technical sense it is less safe than not texting while driving but so many people do it without incident each and every day that they consider it safe enough for them to do it.

      A lot of people drive drunk and don't cause accidents (or only harm themselves) yet we don't consider it to be safe.

      It is a lot like driving with one hand verses two at the ten and two positions.

      No, it is far much more like driving drunk.

      Many people can safely drive with one hand but it is safer to be in the ten and two positions with two hands which is why we need to do it to pass most driving tests.

      Generally only the case if your car has an automatic transmission. Rather hard to do that if you are taking a test with a standard transmission.

      --
      Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    5. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      Is it against the law almost everywhere?

      I really only know about locally... The only place here it is illegal is in school zones.. otherwise, talk and text away while driving...

    6. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by damn_registrars · · Score: 2

      Is it against the law almost everywhere?

      I really only know about locally... The only place here it is illegal is in school zones.. otherwise, talk and text away while driving...

      Texting while driving in most places can be classified as distracted driving. It doesn't need a special classification; if you were reading the newspaper while driving you could be pulled over and fined for that, texting is often handled the same way.

      Some places have additional statutes and fines on the matter, but that is just to try to raise awareness - or revenue.

      --
      Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    7. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      I see your point...

      Several cities around here have suggested passing a ban with fines attached... They HAVE passed bans on talking or texting while in school zones, so by implication it is fine outside of those areas.

      In my experience (and from talking to others), no one has ever heard of anyone pulled over for it for "distracted driving". They are making too much money on speeding tickets.

      A friend of mine recently was nailed for 40 in a 20 mph school zone, she was pulling out of a Toyota dealership on a street she didn't know very well and it turns out the school zone is right there. Cop was just waiting for someone who didn't know...

      $600+ ticket!

      Not having your seat belt on? $154.

      Sheesh...

    8. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by jrumney · · Score: 1

      Many people can safely drive with one hand but it is safer to be in the ten and two positions with two hands which is why we need to do it to pass most driving tests.

      It's not always safer to be in the ten and two positions, as it can interfere with airbag deployment and lead to broken bones in the hand and wrist in an otherwise minor collision.

    9. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      It's also an overcomplicated solution. OBD can get pretty nasty if you want access to esoteric stuff or manufacturer proprietary crap; but a basic, bluetooth-capable, OBD dongle that'll report the rough outlines of how a vehicle is being used is quite cheap indeed and not especially complex. I wouldn't necessarily want to try dead-reconing with nothing but that output; but answering "Am I driving right now?" is considerably less demanding.

    10. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can also repeatedly close your eyes for 4 seconds then open them for 1 second and make the majority of your trips without an accident. That doesn't mean it's safe. Driving is safe most of the time and in theory other drivers are trying not to hit you which makes driving even safer. The problem is you don't know when the unsafe times will be.

      I can't wait until police start using their dash cams to enforce distracted driving laws. More people need to be taken off the roads. Those people put too many other people at risk with their self-centeredness.

      As a walker, I've had too many drivers almost run me over (one actually knocked me over) (in different states) by rolling through a stop sign when looking to see if they can turn without stopping, without checking to see if anyone was standing directly in front of their car. As to the people who get annoyed at me when I hesitate to step in front of them when I have the right of way, I'm sorry, but I can't tell if you're slowing down to stop or slowing down just long enough to check if any cars are coming.

    11. Re: A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No they can't. It takes as long as 5 seconds to check a text message. That's enough to slam into several cars.

    12. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Karmashock · · Score: 4, Insightful

      A policeman in Los Angeles killed a man by answering emails while driving.

      He was not even charged with a crime for it because apparently by answering police department email it was all in the service of the badge.

      In this context... they continue to go after people that might answer a text while driving whether people are even injured or not.

      Don't get me wrong... you shouldn't answer texts while driving. But I am incensed that the police officer is not even put on trial for manslaughter or negligent homicide.

      If the police need to answer email while driving, then either give them automated cars or require them to have two police officers in every car. Short of that... they should be paying attention to driving while driving. Until that is a rule, I can't take this whole topic seriously.

      --
      I've decided to stop wasting my time responding to AC trolls/sockpuppets... so if you want a response from me... login.
    13. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It is a lot like driving with one hand verses two at the ten and two positions. Many people can safely drive with one hand but it is safer to be in the ten and two positions with two hands which is why we need to do it to pass most driving tests.

      In theory (one, anyway) 10 and 2 are the best positions, so DMV examiners have been insisting on it.

      In reality, it turns out, 9:30 and 3:30 are safer.

      In theory, talking on the phone is distracting.

      In reality, it's been shown that drivers who are a little bit tired are much safer if they're also talking.

      In theory, texing bans will reduce traffic accidents.

      In reality, people in those States text below the steering wheel, completely taking their eyes off the road, to avoid cops seeing then, while those in States without such bans tend to text with the phone at the top of the steering wheel, so they can at least keep half an eye on the road. Paradoxically, texting bans are deadly.

      Tibbit's "solutions" work in theory, but reality is far more messy. To assume otherwise is hubristic.

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    14. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Phronesis · · Score: 1

      For the most part, people can safely do it. Well, in a technical sense it is less safe than not texting while driving but so many people do it without incident each and every day that they consider it safe enough for them to do it.

      This statement applies equally to driving while drunk. Lots of people do it every day and few have an accident. You might find it interesting to read up on low-probability/high-consequence risks.

      The baseline probability of a fatal accident is about 1 / 1.2 million per mile traveled, so if something increases your risk by a factor of 20 (the estimated risk factor for texting while driving), you would not notice it from your experience. It would take statistical analysis of a large number of crashes to determine the excess risk. Increasing your chance of getting in a fatal accident by a factor of 20 is a significant added risk, but the baseline probability is so small that any individual driver is unlikely to notice the difference from experience.

    15. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by flargleblarg · · Score: 1, Insightful

      In reality, it turns out, 9:30 and 3:30 are safer.

      Oh yeah? 9:30 and 3:30 are not mirror-opposites. Did you mean 9:30 and 2:30?

    16. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I simply agree... The police don't seem to feel they are subject to the same laws they are enforcing... which is a shame, and backwards to how it should be (they should be held to a stricter standard).

    17. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Stickasylum · · Score: 2

      That's well and good (well not good, bad), but Tibbit's "solution" addresses the problem with text bans that you've posted. Unless you've can point out specific problems with his solution, it seems like it's worth think about and testing. Texting while driving is a big problem. If texting while driving bans are also a big problem, then some other solution is needed. Saying "reality is messy" to dismiss proposed solutions is slightly useful to make us think about potential problems, but is really the laziest form of criticism.

    18. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by olsmeister · · Score: 2

      If you want to give it some teeth, and get some free publicity, in addition to the fine add automatic confiscation of the phone and watch the world explode.

    19. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by greenbird · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It is against the law pretty much everywhere. However that law is enforced pretty much nowhere. It is just simply too difficult to enforce it, as a police officer has to catch the person in the act to even write a ticket. And then the ticket is so laughably small in terms of the monetary penalty as to be pointless to even write.

      Make the punishment fit the crime. If you're swinging a loaded gun around pointing it at people and unintentionally shoot someone you're going to jail. You drive around like a jackass, speeding, weaving in traffic, running lights or stop signs, at worse you get a ticket that cost a little bit of money. And yet far more people are killed by idiot drivers than are by gun accidents. It's completely irrational.

      It's simple. The first ticket is a freebie, a $1000 and lose your license for a day. The second ticket within a year and you lose your license for a month. The third ticket in a year and you lose your license for a year. You get caught driving without a license you go to jail for a year. You put black boxes in cars that record the last half hour of activity to provide irrefutable evidence. Also use that information in the case of a collision and if it shows any person caused the collision it's their third strike and they lose their license for a year. No need for distracted driving or no telephoning or no texting or even drink driving laws. One way or another the people left on the roads will be much safer and nicer. Oh, and the 40,000 killed and hundreds of thousands more injured and maimed would go away almost over night along with much of the massive financial burden caused by the idiotic carnage on the roads.

      --
      Who is John Galt?
    20. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I was walking home from work, late one Saturday night, when I saw a car lurching back and forward across the main street of my town. The driver was texting as he drove.

      Following a few cars behind, a girl was reading a book as she drove.

      Reading a fucking book.

    21. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In reality, people in those States text below the steering wheel, completely taking their eyes off the road, to avoid cops seeing then, while those in States without such bans tend to text with the phone at the top of the steering wheel, so they can at least keep half an eye on the road. Paradoxically, texting bans are deadly.

      I was driving home from work, one day, when I saw a car go sailing by me at least 20% above the speed limit, with two wheels off the road, before cutting across two lanes without indicating or looking, then swerving back off the road only to pull back across the two lanes again. He nearly took me out, too.

      What was he doing?

      He was sending a text and changing his focus to keep an eye on the road at the same time.

      It seems that the act of refocusing prevents one from maintaining situational awareness.

    22. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by nysus · · Score: 2

      It's 1.5 deaths per 100 million miles.

      Death isn't the only risk, however. Getting paralyzed, getting disfigured, etc. are pretty serious consequences that don't end in death.

      --

      ---Technology will liberate us if it doesn't enslave us first.

    23. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      not illegal in Sweden.

    24. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by chmod+a+x+mojo · · Score: 2

      Unless you've can point out specific problems with his solution

      Hmm, how about just of the top of my head:
      1: requires DATA since it sends stuff to servers "somewhere" which leads to...
      2: big time invasion of privacy, who is this stupid company, why should I trust them with the location of both myself and my kids ( as in the "example" )
      3: why should I trust some unknown yahoo to keep my data secure when no one else seems to be able to... and exact times family members are separated from each other / the house is empty are even worse than CC# leaks.
      4: It can only stop phones that are registered to it, so that second burner phone is the one that gets texted on.
      Annnnnnnnddd after all that there comes the absolute biggest flaw:
      5: It's opt-in, the people that would normally text and drive anyways aren't going to buy it.

      There, that took all of 5 seconds to think of.

      --
      To err is human; effective mayhem requires the root password!
    25. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Panoptes · · Score: 1

      "Generally only the case if your car has an automatic transmission. Rather hard to do that if you are taking a test with a standard transmission."

      Nonsense. The only time you can't do it is when you're changing gear.

    26. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Pentium100 · · Score: 2

      Well, driving a car with a manual gearbox makes talking on the phone while driving (without using handsfree equipment) inconvenient (unless I am driving on a straight long road). I never text while driving. SMS is low priority and high latency to me - I will reply when I can. If it is urgent to you - call.

      However, this device seems pointless. I have to buy it and install it in my car. Even assuming it can work with my older phones (a Nokia E90 and a Nokia 1100), I could, you know, just don't use the phone while driving if I do not want to and I do not need to spend money. OTOH, if somebody wants to use the phone while driving, they will not buy a device that prevents them or will turn it off.

      This sort of device has to be mandated by law (hopefully just for new cars, so I do not have to buy such a device) or it will see very low adoption rates.

    27. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by epyT-R · · Score: 1

      Fines won't stop this just like they don't stop speeding. Fines are just tax revenue for the state. The answer is to remove the incentive to use the damn phone while driving. Maybe just rewrite the software running the towers to pick up relative motion of a node exceeding a certain speed (either from the phone's gps or from triangulation), it disables the interface, or at least disallows certain traffic (like sms).

      Perhaps a better solution to idiocy is to let darwin take his course in society a bit more instead of pushing to protect everyone from themselves. Make car insurance optional and only protect those whom the policies list. Remove any other legal liabilities to anyone else and reset the propaganda machine to inform people in blunt language they are NOT safe and that no one gives a shit about their long term survival except themselves. Lets see how quickly EVERYONE realizes their sorry asses depend on their attentive driving and not on the piece of cardboard in the glove box or anything else. Around here, most of the inattentive driving results in 30mph in-a-45 double line weavers. A good honk of the horn 'resets' them, however, some actually go back to it after a few minutes.

    28. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

      Well, certainly texting is no more dangerous than shaving, right? Dude, I don't care if you got all four hands and your dick on the wheel, if you're not paying attention, your luck will run out, or worse you'll ruin somebody else's day.

      Personally, instead of a bunch of laws designed as revenue generators, I would like to see a much bigger push for these damn autonomous cars, and then they might even be safe enough to fly.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    29. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Pentium100 · · Score: 0

      Speeding = higher risk of crash. Crash can involve other people. This means that if you speed you are more likely to kill somebody.
      Not wearing a seatbelt = higher risk of injury/death in case of a crash, but only to the person not wearing the seat belt. I think the fine should be lower and let the idiots kill themselves.

    30. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by fnj · · Score: 1

      Just to be clear, when that airbag fills explosively, nobody's arms are going to do squat to stop it from filling, not even Sylvester Stallone's. But you're right, if they are anywhere near the bag they are going to flail like hell and almost certainly hit stuff with devastating impact. From ten-and-two you have a pretty decent chance of smashing your eyeglasses into your eyes with your flying hands/arms.

    31. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Pentium100 · · Score: 2

      After a few accidents caused by drunk cops driving (that actually injuredor killed people) in my country, the new law is that if a cop is caught drunk behind the wheel, he can start looking for a new job (in addition to whatever punishment a non-cop would get in the same situation).

    32. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

      they should be held to a stricter standard

      That cannot happen until you elect people that will do it. Until then, there is no incentive to change anything.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    33. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 3, Informative

      Speeding = higher risk of crash.

      Meh, that propaganda has been around for awhile...

      To an extent, speeding can perhaps make a crash worse, but that isn't really why we have speeding laws.

      We have them to generate income for the government, specifically local and state government, to the tune of $6.2 billion last year.

      The German Autobaun is safer per mile driven than US highways. Many reasons for it:

      1. Better roads (their roads are better maintained and thicker)

      2. Better driver training (it is expensive and strict)

      3. Better enforcement of "drive right". (on the highway, you pass on the left, drive on the right, it is safer than what we do in the US, which is to drive all over the road at random speeds)

    34. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 2

      What is sad is that it took a new law for that to happen...

      That should just have been the default position...

    35. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by silfen · · Score: 1

      Perhaps we need stricter drivers license requirements?

      Because, as we all know, if we pass laws and impose stricter requirements, it fixes everything! It worked so well for the war on drugs!

      But I suppose once we're all in prison, we can't drive-and-text anymore. Good suggestion!

    36. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      It works in some places like South Africa and Germany, where people know how to drive...

    37. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe just rewrite the software running the towers to pick up relative motion of a node exceeding a certain speed (either from the phone's gps or from triangulation), it disables the interface, or at least disallows certain traffic (like sms).

      So you've disabled the driver's phone, and the phones of all the passengers as well. Along with people on a bus, in a taxi, on a train... Because you're moving more than 5mph or so, you're not allowed to use your phone, even if you're not the driver? Yeah. Do that and tell me how many customers your carrier has left.

      Phones are a distraction to the driver no matter who is using one? Well then we better ban radios, cd players, and even talking while in the car. Better yet, lets mandate microphones in the cabin to detect any noise not made by the car and fine the driver appropriately. Let's also put sensors in the steering wheel to determine when the driver doesn't have BOTH hands on the wheel AND in the "correct" position, and issue a fine for every half second they aren't in contact.

      This is a social problem, not a tecnological one. You're an idiot.

    38. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, it's not like that at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl2xhfVUu0Y

    39. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by mlts · · Score: 1

      There is one tool I've found that has come in handy: A dash cam. If we get more people using these, some texter denying their actions would be proven wrong (assuming the camera has a good shot and the footage is detailed enough) in both civil and criminal courts.

      Put the fear of $DEITY into people that if they cause a wreck... someone has a dash cam of the situation and will be more than happy to put that video on YouTube for a DA, opposing lawyers, insurance company, and cow-orkers to see, it might just stop a behavior when no amount of laws or nanny tech inventions would.

      One thing though: I wish there were a company that made GOOD dash cams. GoPros are great general cameras, but something that can be mounted under the rearview mirror, hold about 8 hours of high-res footage, and perhaps even offer some facility for detecting tampering.

    40. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Pentium100 · · Score: 1

      However, having bad roads and poorly trained drivers higher speed results in higher probability of a crash (for example higher probability that you won't see a pedestrian crossing or won't be able to stop in time) and a worse crash. So, the result is (even if probability stays the same) you drive too fast = you cause problems for other people, while you don't wear a seatbelt = you cause problems only for yourself.

      Also, even Germany has speed limits on other roads and inside cities.

    41. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by smellotron · · Score: 1

      Perhaps we need stricter drivers license requirements?

      It worked so well for the war on drugs!

      Yeah, because prohibition and licensing are the same thing!

    42. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by epyT-R · · Score: 1

      No. The phone is an interactive distraction which is not the same as a radio etc. If you bothered to read the rest of my post, you would've noticed that I addressed the social problem. I'm sure your bitch-ass has a problem with that, too because it doesn't involve rainbows, ponies and pity parties.

    43. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by epyT-R · · Score: 1

      Well if they know how to drive then they wouldn't need the laws in the first place. Either way the laws are useless.

    44. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Rakhar · · Score: 2

      I've sprained my wrist using my hand to vault over the hood of a car that decided it didn't have to check for pedestrians before making a turn...or look up during the turn itself I guess. I was crossing on the same intersection side, from the far side of the road. In a crosswalk. With the go ahead. I have zero faith in anyone else's ability to not be a complete and total retard at any given time.

      That said, there's not any way to get people to follow the no-texting-while-driving laws without invading privacy on a whole new level. I know people that will text while changing lanes. I know other people that will let the phone make all the noise it wants and ignore it till a red light. I don't agree with halting voice communications while driving either. With hands free setups it's no different than chatting with a passenger in the car. Yes, it statistically raises your chances of having a crash, but I'll be damned if you're going to get my approval to make it completely illegal.

      If you made a Venn diagram of people willing to pay for this service and people so braindead that they need it, how much overlap are you really going to have? How did this fact not come to their attention while making this?

    45. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      in theory

    46. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      Speeding = higher risk of crash.

      Meh, that propaganda has been around for awhile...

      To an extent, speeding can perhaps make a crash worse, but that isn't really why we have speeding laws.

      many studies have shown that when a car hits a pedestrian at 40mph the fatality rate is ten times greater than 30MPH. and in a school zone, there are a lot of kids around...

      we should be more vigilant about revoking drivers licenses.

    47. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      in US that would be nice in theory, but guess what who would be the ones to catch the drunk cop behind the wheel? another cop. so you can guess how that will go down.

    48. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I would be in favor of permanent driving bans for people who are caught.

    49. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Dan541 · · Score: 1

      For the most part, people can safely do it..

      No you can't. You might be arrogant enough to think you can multitask, but the family of the person you kill will not be impressed by your l33t driving skillz.

      --
      An SQL query goes to a bar, walks up to a table and asks, "Mind if I join you?"
    50. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

      Yesterday I sat in a bus that almost hit a woman riding a bike with a child in the back seat (normal in the Netherlands) while the woman was crossing the street while texting/facebooking/twittering/bejeweleding.

      Sadly it is very common for women texting while riding a bike while crossing a busy street. BTW I've never seen a man using a phone while riding a bike.

    51. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Mike+Frett · · Score: 1

      It says "people are increasingly unwilling to be cut off from constant communication". In those cases I suggest putting those types of people in some sort of rehabilitation facility. If you are unable to stop using your Phone, then my friend, it's called an addiction and they can get very dangerous for you and especially others if you are unwilling to control yourself.

      Most people will say they "need" a phone or a some other form of technology; no you don't. Water, Food and a place to live are needs and other things such as a Phone are wants. People greatly confuse Needs verses Wants these days.

      There is simply too much reliance on Technology now. A World War or some sort of Space event is all that's needed to stop your Phone from working and the way you have entrenched this Tech into your life, your survivability without these devices in the event you are cut off for many months is low. The unfortunate part is that no one will do anything about this reliance until it's too late. Humans have a knack for waiting until it's too late.

    52. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, wouldn't 9:30 and 3:30 need three hands?

    53. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Beck_Neard · · Score: 1

      No they can't, and it's that attitude that causes all the problems. Everyone thinks they are the exception who is capable of texting while driving. But as it turns out, the magnitude of the effect of texting while driving is actually similar to driving while being drunk.

      --
      A fool and his hard drive are soon parted.
    54. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      SMS is data and can run completely automated. It isnt just a human comm system.

      --
      Good-bye
    55. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When it comes to texting while driving, and 2nd DUI/DWI, yes, it should be revoked for 6 months in my opinion. Those two things are unacceptable.

      1. Texting while driving... just don't do it.
      2. 2nd DUI/DWI, well, it's a second chance. The 1st is a gray area as people can make mistakes. But they should NOT be soft on the 2nd time around.

    56. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      It CAN be an interactive distraction, it does not have to be. You can add all sorts of control systems to devices today. Custom knobs that you can operate on feel alone, jsut like standard car controls. Integration and some simple engineering removes most of your arguments. You lack vision, stop trying to sell us this idea, its crap.

      --
      Good-bye
    57. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      This is a very simplistic view of the future we are facing. I store a huge chunk of my mind on the web, based on einsteins quotes on facts and books. I dont like being cut off from that. I dont get notifications and tweets and emails all day. I have email on my phone, but its set to pull not push so i get email when i want it. Not everything is an addiction. We are at ubiquitous, cheap networking/computing at the dawn of an Information Age. The future is now.

      A war might wipe out some tech, but not the ideas we gained from it. We would INSTANTLY start rebuilding packetized communications systems, which in itself is a major step. It would be a huge step back, but not a reset.

      I have lived off the land, hunted prey, grown crops and i have skittered across electric dreams on fertile fields of internet resources. No place was more real than any other and all were interesting places for a human to dwell.

      --
      Good-bye
    58. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I agree. Sometimes the only way to get people to change their stupid behaviour is to make them a little bit more afraid of doing it. Unfortunately, drivers feel and are much safer than pedestrians and cyclists and are evidently fine risking them so increasing the stakes for drivers is the only solution. Furthermore, making it more likely that you get caught, would work even better. Probably nobody would do it if - hypothetically - texting while driving each time had a ~75 % likelihood of a fine. IMHO also adjusted by income to avoid making texting while driving a privilege of the rich but not rich enough to always have their personal driver.

      I drew pretty clear conclusions of the stupid tendency of people not to change risky habits until they're "in your face" when the law regarding use of bicycle helmets was changed in my country, Finland. It's not punishable with a fine if you don't wear one even though it's "mandatory". However, IF you're in an accident and the other party at fault, the restitution paid to you is not in relation to your actual injuries. It is in only relation to what an (impartial) medical doctor deems that your injuries would have been, if you had used a helmet. So if you crack your skull in an accident but wouldn't have if you had worn a helmet, it's just tough shit. Behaviour of the vast majority changed almost overnight when that change was made (until then the "mandatory" use of helmets was, of course, no different from no obligation). I should probably add that IMHO having bicycle helmets as part of the "rules of the road" just like all requirements on drivers and cars is not "victim punishing" (let alone "blaming") because if your irresponsible (or masochistic?) behaviour completely unnecessarily inflates the damage to you, it isn't right to expect others to make up for it. Sort of like how all other insurance requires you to take action to minimize damage, even if it will cover the damage you cannot avoid.

    59. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by kwbauer · · Score: 2

      10 and 2 are not mirror opposites either, at least not on any clock I've used.

    60. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      And you failed to respond to how your solution differentiates the passengers from the driver.

    61. Re: A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's odd, because I can't wait for police to use their dashcams to go after idiot walkers who dart out into traffic without looking, don't use crosswalks, and generally make driving a miserable game of trying not to hit people who just seem to go out of their way to get hit.

    62. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Speeding = higher risk of crash.

      Meh, that propaganda has been around for awhile...

      To an extent, speeding can perhaps make a crash worse, but that isn't really why we have speeding laws.

      We have them to generate income for the government, specifically local and state government, to the tune of $6.2 billion last year.

      The German Autobaun is safer per mile driven than US highways. Many reasons for it:

      1. Better roads (their roads are better maintained and thicker)

      2. Better driver training (it is expensive and strict)

      3. Better enforcement of "drive right". (on the highway, you pass on the left, drive on the right, it is safer than what we do in the US, which is to drive all over the road at random speeds)

      You have conveniently forgotten one salient feature of German traffic law: driver guilty by default. When hitting a pedestrian, the driver is ALWAYS held by the highest standard, and convicted in almost 100% of the cases. Germany does NOT (unlike USA) have a pro-car legislature.

    63. Re: A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      A technological solution should not prevent people from doing something. It should enable them to do it safely. So better voice recognition, simpler forms of text input (eg integration in car ui) , or automating more parts of the driving will make this control device useless in a short time.

    64. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      It is against the law pretty much everywhere. However that law is enforced pretty much nowhere. It is just simply too difficult to enforce it, as a police officer has to catch the person in the act to even write a ticket. And then the ticket is so laughably small in terms of the monetary penalty as to be pointless to even write.

      Once you successfully stick them with driving while using a cellphone, you have the basis to also slap them with driving while distracted, if they're speeding reckless endangerment as well...

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    65. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 1

      For the most part, people can safely do it.

      "for the most part" is a poor qualifier when it is something as consequential as not paying attention while driving. By your logic, for the most part, it is also not a problem to drive while intoxicated.

    66. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 1

      5: It's opt-in, the people that would normally text and drive anyways aren't going to buy it.

      Ah, but the true purpose of TFA is to convince the several States to make use of this company mandatory for all drivers - guaranteed income stream!!!

      --

      "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
    67. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Never mind that the Germans are disproportionally contributing to killing the planet with their crazy fuel usage. The optimal fuel usage for most cars is around 55-60mph, any faster and it quickly gets ridiculous. (Reference. That only shows up to 80mph. The Germans go up to 120mph, sometimes even faster.)

    68. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by jbolden · · Score: 1

      There is a problem with that. Law enforcement in the USA is dependent on most people pleading guilty they system isn't designed for people going to trial. If you lose your license for a month or a year, you have middle class defendants with means going to trial. Moreover let's not forget about the effects of push back. People who have negative experiences with police tend to be more suspicious of them and tend not to convict. So as you increase the level you decrease the conviction rate, further increasing the benefits of going to trial. Your cost of enforcement far exceeds the benefit.

      I think the far better system is frequent small penalties. Something like every driver gets two send in up to 2 license plate "assholes" per day. You erase one per month. If you get to 3, $50 fine no. Limit that everyone can only report the same driver once per year.

    69. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by AthanasiusKircher · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Speeding = higher risk of crash.

      Meh, that propaganda has been around for awhile...

      How is this modded "Informative" when this thread (GP's and GGP's posts) is about speeding in a school zone (not the Autobahn)?

      The main reason for slower speeds in school zones is often to avoid pedestrian injuries and deaths -- since little kids sometimes do unexpected things and run into roads without thinking.

      To an extent, speeding can perhaps make a crash worse, but that isn't really why we have speeding laws.

      I think if you hit a kid going 25 mph (a typical school zone speed limit), you are already going to seriously injure and maybe kill him/her. But at least at a lower speed you might have a better chance of avoiding the kid by braking, swerving, etc. If you're going 45 mph or whatever the normal speed limit is on that road, the kid is probably dead. Sorry -- but speeding in a school zone BOTH (1) results in a higher risk of "crash" AND (2) will likely result in greater injury.

      We have them to generate income for the government, specifically local and state government, to the tune of $6.2 billion last year.

      Yeah, we'd never enact speeding laws to protect pedestrians in high-traffic areas, or anything silly like that!

      The German Autobaun is safer per mile driven than US highways. Many reasons for it:

      While you make some reasonable points, this has little to do with the present discussion of a school zone. But even outside of schools, there are all sorts of reasons for speed limits that are not politically motivated, like:

      (1) Residential areas or business districts with higher pedestrian traffic

      (2) General density of environment -- e.g., curves or other obstacles that decrease visibility of road ahead, how easy it is to see cars pulling out from side streets/driveways, how many random "manuevers" you're likely to see because cars need to change lanes to make turns, park, etc.

      (3) Traffic flow on busy roads and congested highways: traffic has transition thresholds, sort of like laminar vs. turbulent flow in fluids. If everyone is driving at 65 mph in a highly congested area, and someone just brakes at the wrong time or cuts someone off, it can set up a traffic wave that propagates backwards and might result in stop-and-go traffic for 20 minutes. If, instead, people drive at 45 mph on average in the same traffic density, they have more time to react, and it can actually increase traffic throughput by making stop-and-go traffic less likely. That's one of the reasons many cities have introduced variable speed limits on highways that get lowered near rush hour: they're not trying to generate more revenue (usually) -- they're actually trying to help you get home faster. If you refuse to obey them and end up braking hard because of something unexpected which you would not have been a problem at a lower speed, you're likely contributing to traffic jams.

      SUMMARY: Your argument is about maximum speed limits on straight highways. This thread is about the vast majority of roads which exist in less optimal conditions with less visibility, more obstacles, pedestrians, etc. In those cases, perhaps unlike the Autobahn, speed limits definitely make sense. And Germans agree, since they have speed limits under these scenarios.

      And if you're that jerk you keeps weaving through traffic and passing me on the right in mornings when I'm going through school zones on a busy 4-lane road, STOP IT. You're endangering people, mainly pedestrians (one of whom I actually saw hit during my commute). THAT'S why we sometimes need speed limits.

    70. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WTF are you talking about? " It is just simply too difficult to enforce it, as a police officer has to catch the person in the act to even write a ticket." Sure, that must be SO difficult. I see people using their phones while driving all the time, and somebody TEXTING while driving is even more obvious than somebody talking on the phone while driving. Haven't you heard of 'cameras'? Car mounted cameras? Car mounted cameras, mounted in the REAR of unmarked police cars?

      You idiot.

    71. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      No, speed limits exist for three main reasons:

      1. The higher your speed the less time you have to react, and more importantly the less time someone else has to avoid you. Even if your reactions are very good their's might not be. The speed limit democratizes the road.

      2. Drivers in unfamiliar areas won't know how fast to safely take a particular corner, and looks and be deceiving, so sometimes speed limits are used to advise them.

      3. The limits keep the cost of motoring down. The roads cost less to maintain because they don't need to be up to race track standard, and annual safety check test limits for cars can be lower since they don't need to account for speeds over a certain threshold. Germany is willing to pay more for better roads and cars, which is fine.

      Speeding fines are used as a cash cow, but that's just greedy police forces trying to scam the motorist. There are good reasons to have limits, and just because some people are abusing the system doesn't make those reasons any less valid.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    72. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by geoskd · · Score: 2

      many studies have shown that when a car hits a pedestrian at 40mph the fatality rate is ten times greater than 30MPH. and in a school zone, there are a lot of kids around... we should be more vigilant about revoking drivers licenses.

      How often do kids end up in a street around a school? Even during student arrivals and departures?

      The reality is that it just isn't that often.

      The hidden cost of speed limits is monumental: There are more than 100 million people driving to work in the US alone. The average commute is 25 minutes. If we slowed the speed limits by 10 MPH, that would increase the commute by a little less than 20%, so about 4 minutes per driver per day. That works out about 6.6 Million hours per day, or just over 1.4 billion hours per year. At an average US wage of over $20 / hour, The lost productivity is around 28 billion dollars per year.

      Back in the 70's, the conservationists claimed we would get 5% or better improvement in fuel economy by switching to 55 MPH instead of 65. Turned out to be less than 1% improvement. That amounts to a saving of about 1.5 Billion Gallons of gas, or $6 Billion USD. So we spent 28 Billion to save 6 Billion.

      OK, so we assume the rest is in lives saved. The NTSB has concluded that the reduced speed limits from 65 to 55 saved around 4000 lives annually, with reductions in speed limits from 45 to 35 saving less than 500 lives per year. Even all told, an across the board reduction in speed limits by 10 MPH would only save 5500 lives. That amounts to a cost to the economy of $4 Million USD per year per life saved. To put that in perspective, Mamograms are estimated to cost less than $50,000 per year per life saved.

      So what about the school zones? how many Children are killed in these zones? The truth is that no one even keeps statistics that have any meaning because it happens so infrequently. Thats not to say that kids die from it infrequently, thats saying that kids are very rarely even hit in these zones. Its rare enough that we don't even really have a big enough sample size to be statistically useful.

      The statistical truth at the end of the day is that our current speed limits cost our economy far more than they save. The Germans did what Germans do: They did the math. They concluded that on open highway speed limits would cost their economy more than they cared to pay, so they did away with them where they were not needed.

      --
      I wish I had a good sig, but all the good ones are copyrighted
    73. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When I'm driving and my wife is in the car, she responds to text messages for me. When she is not in the car, the message waits until the car is in park. I certainly wouldn't want something limiting my phone's ability to send text messages while I'm driving because if my phone is sending a message while I'm driving, then I'm not the one sending it. There is absolutely no reason why my phone's ability to send text messages while I am driving should be hobbled. What needs to be done is to ratchet up the costs of texting while driving to match those of driving while intoxicated and then start enforcing those laws. People will get the message. Certainly, there are still intoxicated drivers, but there always will be at least one idiot who thinks they're fine to drive while intoxicated (or drive and text).

    74. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Kalium70 · · Score: 1

      Except for certain times in school zones, in my state, it's not specifically a violation of the law to text and drive.

    75. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by damn_registrars · · Score: 4, Insightful

      For certain very lucky values of "safely", sure. Taking your eyes completely off the road to do something is, quite simply, never a good idea.

      Nonesense. You take your eyes off the road all the time in order to specifically drive safely. You take your eyes off the road when you check your speedometer, tack, warning gauges, mirrors, to read road signs and look for crossing traffic, and so on as a function of driving safely.

      Every one of those functions take less time than writing a text message. Furthermore all those functions are designed to be easy and safe to do while driving. Text messaging was never designed with that in mind.

      --
      Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    76. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by gnasher719 · · Score: 1

      After a few accidents caused by drunk cops driving (that actually injuredor killed people) in my country, the new law is that if a cop is caught drunk behind the wheel, he can start looking for a new job (in addition to whatever punishment a non-cop would get in the same situation).

      Well, in my country, cops who were caught shoplifting, but doing so while carrying their gun, were convicted for armed robbery.

    77. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But even outside of schools, there are all sorts of reasons for speed limits that are not politically motivated, like:

      (1) Residential areas or business districts with higher pedestrian traffic

      I live in an area that has transformed from mostly farming to a residential area (in Germany). The road in front of my house turned from anyone being able to see from one end to the other and having both sides clear that you could drive through without hassle and would see children from miles away into a narrow road littered with small isles ranging into it and parking spaces on both sides. Now driving above walking speed is liable to get someone killed - this is the intended design since it obviously makes the road safer by forcing drivers to slow down and adhere to the new speed limit. When I grew up there I could run onto the street and play on it, drivers would slow down or my parents could tell me to get to the side long before they came even close, now I wouldn't bet my life on it.

    78. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Bite+The+Pillow · · Score: 1

      First came speed limits, then bring stuck in our ways, then money making.

      Your psychotic revisionist description is a clear case of attribution error.

      And given the context of this thread, it looks like a knee jerk pet peeve response instead of part of a discussion. Like you're talking but not listening.

    79. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Cyberdyne · · Score: 1

      It is against the law pretty much everywhere. However that law is enforced pretty much nowhere. It is just simply too difficult to enforce it, as a police officer has to catch the person in the act to even write a ticket. And then the ticket is so laughably small in terms of the monetary penalty as to be pointless to even write.

      Here in the UK, the penalty is that you get one-quarter of the way to no longer driving (3 penalty points, where 12 means a driving ban); the government announced earlier this year they were considering doubling that to halfway, i.e. get caught doing it twice (within 3 years) and you won't be driving again. However small the risk, I suspect that's a big enough deterrent to scare many - particularly since it would often mean losing their job too. You don't have to be caught red-handed, either, just suspected enough for the police to investigate, then they check the network usage logs and confirm you were using the handset at the time in question. (Or get seen on a traffic camera, of which there are many.)

      The idea in the article is just silly, though.

    80. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by s0nicfreak · · Score: 2

      The thing is, no difference is seen between "driving" and "sitting completely still in a traffic jam for 40 minutes."

    81. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It works in some places like South Africa and Germany, where people know how to drive...

      South Africa has some of the highest rate of motor vehicle deaths of any nation.

      Really, you just keep demonstrating that you are a complete idiot.

    82. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by silfen · · Score: 1

      Yeah, because prohibition and licensing are the same thing!

      Well, yes, effectively they are. Did you have a point you wanted to make?

    83. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Excelcia · · Score: 1

      Its a lot more like driving while reading a newspaper

      Because, ya, lots of people do that too.

    84. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Xicor · · Score: 1

      studies have shown time and time again that just the act of being distracted from the road is bad. if you are talking to someone on the phone, or even in the car with you... or if you are even listening to the radio, these are all equally distracting. it is entirely possible to text while driving safely so long as you are not moving while you are texting or if you are using a hands free device.

      the real issue at hand is that dumbasses have decided that they can take their eyes off the road while they are moving to type a text. people also take their eyes off the road to talk with people next to them... or behind them. is it really a good idea to ban everyone from texting while in the car because a few people are dumbasses? i text only when i'm stopped at a light, technically that is illegal, despite the fact that there is absolutely no way it can affect my driving..

    85. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 0

      Drivers like you are so fucking selfish. As a frequent pedestrian and bicyclist, I am disgusted by your logic. Next you'll argue that the penalties for DUI are too strict.

    86. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by greenbird · · Score: 1

      There is a problem with that. Law enforcement in the USA is dependent on most people pleading guilty they system isn't designed for people going to trial. If you lose your license for a month or a year, you have middle class defendants with means going to trial. Moreover let's not forget about the effects of push back. People who have negative experiences with police tend to be more suspicious of them and tend not to convict. So as you increase the level you decrease the conviction rate, further increasing the benefits of going to trial.

      That's why the black box. Outside of jury nullification the evidence is irrefutable. Also make the law with no exceptions for anyone. Going to trial would have no benefits and would thus be pointless.

      Your cost of enforcement far exceeds the benefit.

      The primary benefit of enforcement would be the 40,000 lives lost every year. Think about that number. The Vietnam war only averaged 5000 dead per year and that was a friggin war. Auto collisions are the number one cause of death for children. Do it for the children and all that crap. I would also argue, even looking at it from a pure fiscal aspect it would make financial sense even if the enforcement cost was high. The direct and indirect costs of traffic issues cause by collisions alone would probably justify it without even going into the 2.5 million emergency room visits and other health care cost.

      I think the far better system is frequent small penalties. Something like every driver gets two send in up to 2 license plate "assholes" per day. You erase one per month. If you get to 3, $50 fine no. Limit that everyone can only report the same driver once per year.

      This would never work. The idiot who didn't think I was passing fast enough because I wasn't going 20 over the speed limit would report me. A good percentage of the idiots on the road think the people driving by the rules are the assholes causing the problems.

      --
      Who is John Galt?
    87. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by sjames · · Score: 1

      First, your 'freebie' is ruinous to some people (we're talking living in a shelter losing the kids sort of ruinous). The second is ruinous to nearly anyone.

      So don't do it, you say. Fine as soon as cops start only writing fair and just tickets without quotas AND as soon as traffic court runs the kangaroos out and takes the right to a fair trial seriously.

      Until; those very unlikely things happen, perhaps a court ordered technological solution with NO fine is more appropriate.

    88. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by MaryAnnEvans · · Score: 0

      It is against the law pretty much everywhere. However that law is enforced pretty much nowhere. It is just simply too difficult to enforce it, as a police officer has to catch the person in the act to even write a ticket. And then the ticket is so laughably small in terms of the monetary penalty as to be pointless to even write.

      You could say the same of the seatbelt law in the UK. And yet seat-belts went from being only used by a minority to being used by the vast majority as a result of the law and associated public information advertising. Whilst I still see people using had-held mobile phones, I'd say it's reduced a lot since it became explicitly illegal.

    89. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by MaryAnnEvans · · Score: 0

      That myth was busted by Mythbusters.

    90. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by MaryAnnEvans · · Score: 0

      With hands free setups it's no different than chatting with a passenger in the car.

      The evidence is that is IS more dangerous. The reason being that a passenger is aware of the situation you are in, and will tend to make allowances for the driving situation you are in. Someone on the other end of a phone has no idea.

    91. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The optimal fuel usage for most cars in the 60s and 70s was 55-60 mph. Fuel efficiencies in cars is determined more by transmission gearing than air resistance.

    92. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by MaryAnnEvans · · Score: 0

      You must be quite young if you've never used an analogue clock.

    93. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Incorrect. (3) is 100% unaffected by speed, as many already know. It is a factor of shitty drivers braking for no reason, causing motorists behind them to brake for no reason in a chain reaction. I only apply my brakes on the highway if I actually need to decelerate; 99% of the time someone in front of me is braking, I can just let off the accelerator and decelerate to their speed (because I never follow very closely) and traffic flows normally, regardless of if we're going 25 or 90 mph because every other car behind me for a mile isn't also applying their brakes and continuing the chain reaction.

    94. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The plan is no ordinary data land-grab. He wants to track the location of every citizen and vehicle in the country, centrally, in real-time. He also wants to build a persistent social graph of people likely to ride in cars with one another. The excuse is to run a simple predicate AI to decide which phone belongs to the driver so the passengers can keep texting. This doesn't just replace NSA bulk metadata collection. It steps beyond.

      Why did I have to read this far down the comment thread to find someone worried about continuous total location surveillance instead of worried about having their phone shut off by the nanny state? Sheeple are self-involved as well as stupid? It bothers me we're so sloppy, but also that we're so ready to impose our casually-stupid choices on others.

    95. Re: A solution in search of a problem... by Selivanow · · Score: 1

      New York State made this a moving violation. If you're convicted, you receive three points on your drivers license. Not only receive the fine, but also have a possibility of higher Insurance rates.

      --
      -- ...trying to make digital files uncopyable is like trying to make water not wet. -Bruce Schneier
    96. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by greenbird · · Score: 1

      First, your 'freebie' is ruinous to some people (we're talking living in a shelter losing the kids sort of ruinous).

      Scale the fine based on income. The fine is more of a wake up slap than than anything else.

      The second is ruinous to nearly anyone.

      Yeah, because 40,000 dead and 2.5 million serious injuries isn't ruinous for anyone. And a good many of them are innocent of any wrong doing. Your argument is specious. I follow the traffic laws. Yet I engender road rage for such things as actually stopping at a stop sign. Yeah, people beep and flip me off for obeying the traffic laws. And this results in 40,000 dead and 2.5 million seriously injured every year. But you think actually making people responsible for thier actions that cause this carnage is ruinous. Causing the carnage though thats perfectly ok in your book.

      So don't do it, you say. Fine as soon as cops start only writing fair and just tickets without quotas AND as soon as traffic court runs the kangaroos out and takes the right to a fair trial seriously.

      Again a specious argument. Did you miss the part about the black boxes in the cars? There is no he said she said. There is no subjective judgment. There is an exact pretty much inflatable record of the actions.

      Until; those very unlikely things happen, perhaps a court ordered technological solution with NO fine is more appropriate.

      The problem has nothing to do with technology. People eating, guys shaving, women putting on makeup, the list is endless and no technology is going to help (short of fully autonomous cars which are a long ways off). People will drive like idiots until they are held accountable for the consequences.

      --
      Who is John Galt?
    97. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by sjames · · Score: 1

      You're going to need a much more expensive black box to log enough to make the results unambiguous. They'll have to log enough information to make them prime targets for warrant-less searches for non-safety purposes.

    98. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by flargleblarg · · Score: 1

      Yes they are. Mirrored along the vertical axis.

    99. Re: A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I make a mistake (shit happens) and you are injured in a minor crash because no seatbelt, I am not fucking paying your medical bill - and neither is my insurance company. I don't want it on my record.

      It does harm others when you crash without a seatbelt.

    100. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      The main reason for slower speeds in school zones is often to avoid pedestrian injuries and deaths -- since little kids sometimes do unexpected things and run into roads without thinking.

      Ahh, the conversation is about ALL speed limits, not just school zones (I did start this thread after all).

      For what it is worth, I don't have an issue with school zones, they make sense, they are limited to small areas, and the reasons for them (lots of little kids walking) make perfect sense.

      They are in force for just the time needed, in just the places needed.

      When I drive in West Texas, I could safely do 150 mph out there without being a danger to anything. In the city, even on the highway, that would NOT be the case, too many cars.

    101. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      Pedestrians shouldn't be crossing highways. :)

      Yes, of course you need a reasonable speed limit in the city, for just that reason, other people use the roads besides cars (bicycles for example).

    102. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      I would expect 30 mph to be mostly fatal... :)

      But that is really beside the point...

      We really can't revoke a lot of drivers licenses, people would drive anyway (and do). Much of the US is simply not setup for anything but cars, you simply MUST drive to function in our society.

      Since revoking drivers licenses isn't practical, more driver training is perhaps a better plan.

    103. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      While I'm all for punishing people who drink and drive, the reality is that when you revoke people's drivers licenses, they just drive anyway, until caught again.

      In many parts of the US, there simply are no other options other than driving. Many times, when a Judge revokes a drivers license, he/she will turn around and approve limited driving for work or school, for that very reason.

    104. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by j-turkey · · Score: 1

      We have them to generate income for the government, specifically local and state government, to the tune of $6.2 billion last year.

      While some towns and small municipalities are notorious speed traps, who abuse the law to generate revenue - applying this to all speed enforcement is an outright over generalization.

      The fact of the matter is that speed limit enforcement costs our governments more than it takes in. Your assertion only accounts for revenues, and does not take into account the cost of enforcement; such as police, equipment, court costs, collections, and incarceration (states like Virginia criminalize speeding and actually mandate jail time for exceeding the speed limit by greater than 20 MPH).

      I posted this reply in another forum in response to a similar claim where I did some quick back-of-a-napkin math in my own county where traffic laws are very aggressively enforced. I'm not trying to pass my post off as especially scientific and of course my statements aren't universal. However, what I wrote does include sources, and I did the same math in another county deeper in the thread. But it does shed significant doubt on the broad generalization that speed enforcement is motivated (either partially or entirely) by governmental revenue enhancement. Here are a few excerpts if you don't feel like reading the whole thread:

      Let's take this out of the theoretical and use my own county as a case-study, just to put things in to perspective. (Don't get me wrong, I'm no expert, just a geek who can type things into Google.) Here is my county's revenue's report from 2011. See page 2. Fines and forfeitures came in at $16M in 2011 compared to $2B in real estate taxes. That $16M is a drop in the bucket for state revenues (0.8%). Not a lot of money made, but how does this stack up against what we spend on it?

      I'm glad that you asked - here are some more recent examples: In 2014, my county government estimated fines and forfeitures at $14.8M or 0.4% of annual revenues. However, when you look at where the money goes - judicial administration is 0.9% ($33.2M) of the budget and public safety is 12.3% ($442.8M) of the budget...a combined 13.2% of our annual fiscal budget. If you do the math, it simply doesn't add up to a money-making racket for the state. The facts seem to point to a different conclusion - and I don't claim to have the answer as to why and how (although I could probably google for this).

      Anyway, hopefully this will shed a bit of doubt on the blanket assumption about speed enforcement for revenue enhancement. That's not to say that speed limits are always correct, or that speed enforcement is usually done with the best of intentions (e.g. to prove that the police are actually doing something - or perhaps for entirely political reasons)...but it should shed reasonable doubt.

      --

      -Turkey

    105. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by the+grace+of+R'hllor · · Score: 1

      In addition to Germany's near strict-liability laws, which mean a driver is virtually always at fault in case of accidents with non-drivers, I'd like to point out the following:
      - Most of Germany's road system is non-Autobahn. People are used to driving with restrictions. And are going to be nervously looking about to slam into them with a 100+kph speed difference.
      - If you drive faster than the recommended maximum (130-140kph) and there's an accident, regardless of who caused it, your insurance company will try to blame you to at least some degree.
      - They drive regular cars, with regular 5 speed gearboxes, for the most part.

      That all means Germans tend, as a rule, to not go much faster than normal highway speeds, and yet pay attention more than on other roads.

    106. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We need Texting Lanes.

    107. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      if a pilot few a commercial plane while drunk he would be banned from stepping into a cockpit ever again. He was given a massive responsibility and failed to live up to it. Why should driving a car be any different.

    108. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      Since revoking drivers licenses isn't practical, more driver training is perhaps a better plan.

      yes because people's irresponsibility will be fixed by more training. come with me citizen! we will fix your errant thoughts at our re-education camp! we will make you a better citizen like you always wanted to be!

    109. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by dunkelfalke · · Score: 1

      The Germans did the math indeed.
      You know what this sign means? It means a speed limit of 7 kph.

      --
      "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
    110. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      In fairness, an Airline can pretty well enforce not allowing such a pilot to fly again, at least for them.

      Many pilots in Alaska don't have pilot certificates, yet fly anyway. Until there is a problem, even the FAA only party cares.

      While I tend to agree with you, if you drink and drive, you shouldn't drive again, I'm simply saying that waving your hand and saying it doesn't address the reality that a car and driving are required in many places.

      Licence or no licence, people will drive because they have to.

    111. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      Do you have a solution?

    112. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by jbolden · · Score: 1

      This would never work. The idiot who didn't think I was passing fast enough because I wasn't going 20 over the speed limit would report me. A good percentage of the idiots on the road think the people driving by the rules are the assholes causing the problems.

      Well yes, as the joke goes "everyone going faster than me is a maniac, everyone slower an asshole". But I suspect that given only 2 it would be saved for bad drivers not slow drivers.

      As for the cost of 40k lives you do have a good point. That does justify a lot of expensive.

    113. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      If people can't handle the responsibilities that come with a license, then take that responsibility. Drunks can take the bus or buy a bicycle.

    114. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      Without a license they don't have insurance coverage. If they get in an accident it will be all out of pocket and they will go broke. Sux man

    115. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Counter-example 1. This guy has tried to get his drivers license back for years now, and he keeps getting rejected.
      Counter-example 2. The guilty plea lightened the sentence to 8 years in prison.

      Those are just from one metro-area in the US. I'm sure other cities have similar stories. Cops don't always get a free ride.

      If you want free rides, look for sports "heroes". Again, from the St. Louis area, Leonard Little (the Rams player) killed someone in a DWI crash and got a 30-day sentence, to be served when he felt like it, a few hours at a time. That's a soft sentence for vehicular manslaughter.

    116. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by greenbird · · Score: 1

      You're going to need a much more expensive black box to log enough to make the results unambiguous.

      No you don't. Location, control inputs and velocity are all you need. Most cars already have that in them. Almost all cell phones do too.

      They'll have to log enough information to make them prime targets for warrant-less searches for non-safety purposes.

      As I stated just record the last half hour or so. That would limit there viability for intrusive monitoring.

      --
      Who is John Galt?
    117. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by mark-t · · Score: 1

      When you can send a text message on a phone as quickly as it takes to glance down at the speedometer or mirrors, you might have a point. The difference in time, however, is currently probably at least 3 orders of magnitude.

    118. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by RandomAdam · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I once tried to reply to a text while going down a gentle grade on my mountain bike....ended up on my ass....pine cone in a shadow caught the front wheel.....I had done it many times before and it was fine. Just goes to show just because you succeed in not crashing 100 times doesn't mean that you will succeed 101 times. I haven't done it again since...too much to do to risk being injured for a text message.

      --
      @Random_Adam

      Sometimes a sig doesn't have to be funny!!
    119. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      Ha! It seems you have some crazy idea that lots of rich people are driving around without licenses...

      Try the poor people who have to drive to work... a third of them don't have insurance anyway...

    120. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      Oh, I don't disagree with you... I'm more thinking of the practical aspects of it rather than the theory...

      As for the bus... There is no bus service here, there isn't bus service for many miles...

      Bicycle? Yea, that isn't going to happen, not with the distances involved... It also isn't going to happen with 10 degree winters and 105 degree summers...

      I guess you could put them in prison, which is expensive and has a cost to society long after you let them out.

      Or should we just shoot them? :)

      I'm not suggesting I have a perfect solution, I'm simply looking at how things are, not as how we'd like them to be.

    121. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Jack+Griffin · · Score: 1

      It is against the law pretty much everywhere. However that law is enforced pretty much nowhere. It is just simply too difficult to enforce it,

      Actually it's trivial to catch a lot of people doing this, I ride a motorbike and zip through traffic everyday and get up and close to drivers as I pass them (all crawling along at 20km/h). A fair few of them are using their phones, so all it would take is a fleet of bike cops, preferably undercover, on smaller bikes like scooters for maximum maneuverability, with cameras on the bike and helmet for collecting evidence. All the cop has to do is zip through traffic, while another is parked up the road with a video feed and pull all the offenders over. Do this for a few weeks, rinse and repeat randomly ever couple of months and see how it changes mobile phone use. Most traffic issues are behaviour based which can be fixed by closer monitoring of driver behaviour. Unfortunately our police depts only seem interested in easy catches such as speeding and drink driving.

    122. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      Not impressed. Drive drunk, kiss my hairy ass

    123. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by sjames · · Score: 1

      You'd be surprised how much use can be made of 30 minutes of information. Also, in the absence of an accident, the information you mentioned cannot determine if anyone was actually put at risk. Practically no car has GPS connected with control positions and few record 30 minutes.

      Will legacy cars have an automatic out since the recorded information won't be there?

      How about if the black box malfunctions or "malfunctions"

    124. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      Ok then...

      Um... so what is your point?

    125. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Nukenbar · · Score: 1

      I text all of the time at stop lights, and I don't feel the least bit bad about it.

    126. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by smellotron · · Score: 1

      My point was sarcastic, I don't know if you missed it (non-native language?) or if you responded in-kind. Plainly, prohibition and licensing are not the same thing. An unlicensed "operator" is prohibited yes, but the cost of licensing is always goint to be lower than the cost of a black-market solution (by its nature; the black market solution is not attractive if it is worse, because of the inherent risk!) Therefore, the net result is more regulatory control when licensing is an option vs. total prohibition.

      Ultimately, my point is that (1) comparing licensed driving to the War on Drugs is not valid, because (2) increased license requirements would serve to change the economics of learning how to drive rather than just imposing randomized penalties.

    127. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      my point is it's time to treat drinking and driving for what it really is. d&d kills. end of story. do d&d, get a bike. if it makes it hard for your work, get a new job. end of story.

    128. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 1

      Pot, kettle.

      GP provided an objective argument in favor of higher speed limits.

      You call him selfish while citing your own subjectivity ("as a frequent pedestrian and bicyclist).

      Are you not being the selfish one by specifically calling out your own situation as justification for policies that affect you favorably but others negatively?

      --
      Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
    129. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      nope. it's selfish when people argue for their convenience over my safety.

    130. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      crap. yeah. I was being dense and thinking 180 degrees instead of mirroring.

    131. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 1

      Of course, but it's not selfish when you argue for your safety over everyone else's convenience. I see how that works.

      --
      Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
    132. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Lemmeoutada+Collecti · · Score: 1

      Any two distinct positions on a circle are mirror opposites along an axis passing perpendicularly to the chord defined by those points.

      --

      You can have it fast, accurate, or pretty. Pick any 2.
    133. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      By employing enough electronic technology, we can completely lock people down to only the things the state permits them to do, and surveil them everywhere and at all times on the off chance that they sneak an unpermitted act. Wait! I meant lock ourselves down. No! Not me. Just you. You're the one we need to worry about.

      Here's the solution: Make causing an automobile collision a crime--it's almost always NOT an accident for the culprit. Then we can stop worrying whether anyone is speeding, eating, picking their noses, car dancing, getting a hand job, or texting.

    134. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by flargleblarg · · Score: 1

      Don't feel bad. It's tricky wording. I wasn't sure how to word it to be clear (and to be fair, I don't think it was really clear). "Opposites" to me would imply 180 opposing... so I wrote "mirror-opposites" to imply a vertical mirror, but of course that's pretty subtle and not very unambiguous.

    135. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by flargleblarg · · Score: 1

      Ya, I should have stated mirror-opposites assuming a vertical mirror line (which is what's relevant/important when it comes to hands on the wheel).

    136. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by lsatenstein · · Score: 1

      If someone has so little self-control as to be unable to avoid talking or texting while driving, why are we allowing them to drive in the first place?

      The energy in a 4,000lb vehicle moving at 40-60 mph is considerable.

      Perhaps we need stricter drivers license requirements?

      I drive with my wife. I will not touch the cellphone, for fear of the penalty and points. 3 points for driving and texting. And about $500 increase in the cost of car insurance.

      But my wife texts, and she is sitting in the front passenger seat. My granddaughter is a social fiend, and almost continuously texts to her friends during the dropoff from home to school.

      Nah, his idea would work if there was no one else in the car, and all the passenger seats were unoccupied.

      --
      Leslie Satenstein Montreal Quebec Canada
    137. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by fuzzy2k · · Score: 1

      Yes, you understand the physics well. It's the psychology that is killing people.

      --
      --- Say something clever. Pretend it was me. Thanks.
    138. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by ComputersKai · · Score: 1

      There's a major difference between the two. Traffic lights and crosswalks are certainly not mainly for the convenience of drivers, but are still very much necessary to save the lives of the few people that may have to walk into traffic.

    139. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by ComputersKai · · Score: 1

      Letting them go back to driving immediately isn't the answer either

    140. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by cfsops · · Score: 1

      Where I live, there are clever signs on the road that say:

      Hang up and drive!
      $124 fine


      So I'm sitting at a light and a local cop in an SUV drives by and he is... wait for it... talking on his fucking cell phone. If those charged with enforcing the law, (and traffic laws are laws after all), are incapable of abiding by the law, then I'm not sure there's a good answer to this "problem."

    141. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 1

      Unlike some of the other posters in this thread, I'm not advocating for a particular side. Therefore, it doesn't bother me that drivers are inconvenienced for the safety of pedestrians, nor does it bother me that pedestrians are put at risk for the convenience of drivers.

      What happened is geoskd offered a utilitarian argument in favor of higher speed limits that objectively shows that low speed limits are not optimal. I only chimed in when I saw Noah Haders call him selfish (which is absurd in that geoskd's post didn't identify him as a driver and didn't argue for any personal benefit but for an overall generally optimal outcome) while literally making a subjective and selfish argument himself (he identifies himself as a cyclist and pedestrian and is opposed to higher speed limits due to the effect they would have on him personally).

      I merely wanted to highlight the irony of this, not make any sort of claims about speed limits or the utility of traffic lights or crosswalks.

      --
      Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
    142. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by geoskd · · Score: 1

      Traffic lights and crosswalks are certainly not mainly for the convenience of drivers, but are still very much necessary to save the lives of the few people that may have to walk into traffic

      The same argument was made in favor of the reduction in speed limits. You might be right, you might not be...Show me the numbers...

      --
      I wish I had a good sig, but all the good ones are copyrighted
    143. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by AthanasiusKircher · · Score: 1

      Incorrect. (3) is 100% unaffected by speed, as many already know.

      False.

      It is a factor of shitty drivers braking for no reason, causing motorists behind them to brake for no reason in a chain reaction. I only apply my brakes on the highway if I actually need to decelerate; 99% of the time someone in front of me is braking, I can just let off the accelerator and decelerate to their speed (because I never follow very closely)

      The last clause of your sentence there is critical. Notice in my post I mentioned for the SAME TRAFFIC DENSITY. People in general follow too closely. Therefore, if they are all going at 65 mph and someone has to brake, a chain reaction will follow.

      But, in the same traffic density (i.e., the same spacing of cars), the same cars driving 45 mph might have adequate time to maneuver without heavy braking.

      You're correct that the problem is following distance, and if we could get everyone to maintain that, you could all drive at 90 mph. But that's simply not feasible at rush hour in many places, because too many cars keep joining the traffic, and people don't adequately expand the following distance to compensate.

      So, if there's going to be a high traffic density no matter what, the only efficient way to solve the problem is to lower the average travelling speed. That's something that could at least be enforceable. Trying to enforce adequate following distance (except for really egregious behavior) would be nearly impossible.

    144. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For the most part, people can safely do it.

      You sir a fool.
      Name does fit! Some Dumb Ass.

    145. Re:A solution in search of a problem... by Some_Llama · · Score: 1

      I had a truck try to split an over pass embankment and end up rolling 4 times across 5 lanes of traffic while next to me, only because my wife yelled out when she saw this happening was i able to speed forward and avoid being crushed/part of the accident.

      The driver had been texting, i knew this because before we got on the on ramp i was behind him at the light before the on ramp which he did not notice change and which caused me to "beep" slightly to get his attention (i watched him look up, etc.. and saw the phone), he did something similar two times before actually getting on the road.

      FWIW

  2. How about some self control? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Jesus FUCKING Christ, do people today really not have any self control? Can they really not just avoid using their cell phones for a few minutes? JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!

    1. Re:How about some self control? by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      Normally I don't encourage people who type what you did...

      But in this case, I'll make an exception... yea, what you said...

    2. Re:How about some self control? by tomhath · · Score: 1

      Since you asked...no. Too many people have the "I'm special" attitude; it applies to speed limits, texting, wearing seat belts, you name it.

  3. JUST TURN OFF THE MOTHERFUCKING PHONE! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hey I've got a technical solution to this problem, too: TURN OFF THE MOTHERFUCKING PHONE!

    1. Re:JUST TURN OFF THE MOTHERFUCKING PHONE! by epyT-R · · Score: 1

      but but that would require people to take responsibility. How dare you suggest they shouldn't be coddled and denied their pity parties!

    2. Re:JUST TURN OFF THE MOTHERFUCKING PHONE! by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 1

      And what, get a discrete GPS navigation device? Next you'll be offering an even better technical solution: ditch the car and get some good walking shoes!

      --
      Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
  4. Won't work by penguinoid · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I predict idiots putting their phones in the passenger seat, and leaning over in addition to their previous phone use. Unless this is a device that can be unplugged, in which case they'll unplug it and then use their phone.

    The technological solution to this problem is self-driving cars.

    --
    Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    1. Re:Won't work by icebike · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'm sure as hell not going to allow even MORE TRACKING just to support this hair brained scheme, Track everyone who ever rode in that car just to maker sure they aren't driving it?

      Phones and car kits already offer to reply that the owner is driving, or to read it aloud, and take a reply verbally. There is no excuse t go all NSA on every passenger.

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    2. Re:Won't work by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 2

      The technological solution to this problem is self-driving cars.

      Amen, those can't get here fast enough...

      But then what will police depts do for money when they no longer have to write $6.2 BILLION dollars worth of traffic tickets?

      After all, self-driving cars should be very legal drivers.

    3. Re:Won't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Another technological solution to this would be some kind of hand-operated shearing instrument, consisting of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed. This instrument could then be used to cut a driver's license in half.

      Now, this would also require a political action to repeal the idea that it is a basic human right to drive poorly and dangerously.

    4. Re:Won't work by penguinoid · · Score: 2

      But then what will police depts do for money when they no longer have to write $6.2 BILLION dollars worth of traffic tickets?

      After all, self-driving cars should be very legal drivers.

      Could have sworn I read about a place that made it illegal to follow every traffic law (because the only people who would do that are people carrying drugs and they don't want to be pulled over). But I can't find it again.

      --
      Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    5. Re:Won't work by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      It wouldn't surprise me....

    6. Re:Won't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The technological solution to this problem is self-driving cars.

      Amen, those can't get here fast enough...

      But then what will police depts do for money when they no longer have to write $6.2 BILLION dollars worth of traffic tickets?

      After all, self-driving cars should be very legal drivers.

      Obviously we'll need to add a surcharge to self-driving cars to make up the difference.

    7. Re:Won't work by X0563511 · · Score: 1

      I already do that because it's the most convenient place to put it... whoops!

      Somehow I manage to avoid the temptation to text, surf the web, or watch youtube while I drive, though. I guess that makes me the special one?

      --
      For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  5. A different tack by damn_registrars · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How about we just put lights on top of cars that light up brightly when a text message is being sent from anyone in the car? Then the rest of the drivers on the road can avoid those idiots, as the ones who have texting passengers in the car (aside from taxis and such) are generally no better than the ones who are attempting to text while driving.

    The bright light would also make it easier for cops to know who to pull over when they are doing enhanced patrols for these shit-heads as well.

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    1. Re:A different tack by intermelt · · Score: 2

      I find that "taxis and such" are actually more prone to this issue. A few months ago (Chicago suburb) a taxi (town car) driver pick me and a few others up, was texting and talking on his phone the whole way, almost killed us several times on the highway. He was not just texting, he was talking with a headset while reserving things with his phone. This is worse than texting and should be controlled. I know for a fact that most of these drivers in at least NY and Chicago are constantly on their phones while driving. Some of them are cold calling for another business, some are making reservations for their own business. Either way they are putting themselves, their passengers and whoever else is on the road at danger.

      But I do agree with some sort of visual warning if it had to come down to that. Just don't exclude taxis or similar services.

    2. Re: A different tack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The taxi I took in Atlantic city was the same way. The guy had his dodge caravan that needed the rear suspension replaced was going something like 65 in the tunnel posted at 30 or 35 (I forget which now) while talking on a Bluetooth ear piece and had a hand in both hand texting and what not

    3. Re:A different tack by silfen · · Score: 1

      How about we just put lights on top of cars that light up brightly when a text message is being sent from anyone in the car?

      Great! I suggest warning lights for food, babies, and makeup in cars as well, because those are serious and dangerous distractions as well.

    4. Re:A different tack by Dan541 · · Score: 1

      How often do you see more than one person in a car anyway?

      --
      An SQL query goes to a bar, walks up to a table and asks, "Mind if I join you?"
    5. Re:A different tack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the ones who have texting passengers in the car are generally no better than the ones who are attempting to text while driving.

      Are you a complete idiot? How on earth have you been upmodded?

  6. Fines work better ... by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Fines and public education work better than a technical solution to stupidity. People understand when it hits their wallet directly and when their phones are confiscated.

    --
    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
    1. Re:Fines work better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And yet people still speed, drive drunk, etc. despite fines and education. People will do what they want.

    2. Re:Fines work better ... by greenbird · · Score: 1

      Fines and public education work better than a technical solution to stupidity. People understand when it hits their wallet directly and when their phones are confiscated.

      Not really. How much a fine affects someone is directly related to how much money they have. You can't have a fine that's fair across economic brackets. Better and more democratic than fines is taking away their driving privileges. That solves the problem in 2 ways. Add to that, if you drive without a license you go to jail for a year. No exceptions.

      --
      Who is John Galt?
    3. Re:Fines work better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In New Zealand, we have had fines, demerit points, and public education for a little over 5 years now.

      A significant number of people are still using their phones while driving.

      When surveyed, a significant number (I can't recall the specifics, you have access to google so you can find them easily enough) responded that they didn't care what the law said, they were going to use their phones while driving anyway.

      It doesn't work.

      When I leave work, I walk across a railway overbridge, and come down steps on the other side. It's as common as not to see people texting while driving.

      Curiously, it's actually more common for me to see females on their phones while driving than males, but that's not exactly a significant amount of research. The last one I saw was a guy talking on his phone while driving in the middle of a laned street (rather than in his actual lane), ignore a give way and do a really wide turn before speeding off.

      I did post above, though, that the stupidest thing I've ever seen was some girl reading a book while driving (I omitted that she was doing so in a high-traffic area). That said, one guy went belting by me in an 80km/h zone doing at least 120km/h while I was doing 80. I caught up with him on the mountain road about 3 minutes later by doing just the speed limit - his car had a lot more power than mine but he just didn't know the road so he just couldn't manage the speed limit. He probably thought he had awe-inspiring driving skills, too.

      He didn't, he just had the illusion of competence.

    4. Re:Fines work better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can fine based on income or assets. several countries do so for speeding tickets.

    5. Re:Fines work better ... by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      Yeah because it so much more dangerous for a rich man to speed than it is for a poor man.

    6. Re:Fines work better ... by Whorhay · · Score: 1

      Where I live they passed an essentially toothless texting while driving law a couple years ago. The law bans any use of a phone without a hands free kit of some sort while driving. But you can't be pulled over for it, it can only come up as an additional offense. The fine is also a measly $40 or something and doesn't add points to your license.

      In my opinion using a cell phone or similiar device shouldn't get it's own special law. That kind of behaviour is just reckless and as such should fall under reckless driving laws.

    7. Re:Fines work better ... by Bite+The+Pillow · · Score: 1

      How do we identify the correct person to fine or educate? Because this scheme doesn't, and without a solution your statement is no more than rhetoric.

      Fining the wrong person will not be effective.

    8. Re:Fines work better ... by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 1

      How do we identify the correct person to fine or educate?

      See someone driving while holding a cellphone? Fine them, confiscate their phone and car for 30 days.

      Then show videos of people going through phone and car withdrawal, losing it, and being ordered to anger management therapy. Gotta be better than some of the crap on TV nowadays.

      --
      "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
  7. Can you sat "Dupe"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    1. Re:Can you sat "Dupe"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You keep using that word (dupe). I don't think it means what you think it means...

  8. Nobody wants this by Pumpkin+Tuna · · Score: 5, Insightful

    See, here's the thing. Fuck Scott Tibbitts.
    I don't want his technology. There are so many scenarios where this would unnecessarily screw up my life. What if I'm driving and my wife wants to use my phone to answer a call? That's just one.

    More importantly, my car has a built in hands free that I can operate by voice. Why should I not be allowed to use it.

    If we really want to make the roads safer, give me the power to arrest the dipshits that fly around me on the Interstate doing 20 miles above the speed limit and changing lanes like they are at Daytona.

    1. Re:Nobody wants this by jimhill · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Seriously, fuck this guy. His next step since he can't get anyone to buy his product voluntarily will be to explain to some legislators over dinner (his treat) and maybe a round of golf (ditto) why it's a good idea for them to mandate it. One way or another, our boy Scotty gonna get paid.

      --
      Learn to spell: nickel, missile, lose, solely, amendment, speech, kernel, probably, ridiculous, deity, hierarchy, versus
    2. Re:Nobody wants this by SternisheFan · · Score: 1
      "If we really want to make the roads safer, give me the power to arrest the dipshits".....

      You that guy from Florida? The one who took the law into his own hands?

    3. Re:Nobody wants this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, fuck this guy. Also fuck all these people that are wired to a cell phone like it is a life support system. And fuck those guys that still use blue tooth headsets, seriously, who the heck walks around doing a borg imitation? But most of all fuck all these cell phone hating, there oughta be a law whining condo commando twits. The entire fucking universe is headed inexorably towards absolute fucking zero and we're perplexed about cell phones. Elon better get that fuckin rocket ship ready quick. I figure if he gets the price down to a million bucks for a space pod that will give me 6 months of life support, I can die FREE.

    4. Re:Nobody wants this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Both sets of information — from the car and phone — are sent to Katasi's servers." This is where it breaks. Katasi doesn't get to know everywhere I or my car or my phone go. That is for me to choose to reveal, or not.

    5. Re:Nobody wants this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      More importantly, my car has a built in hands free that I can operate by voice. Why should I not be allowed to use it.

      Because it seriously impairs your attention/concentration.

    6. Re:Nobody wants this by jemmyw · · Score: 1

      Dashcams with a record and send to police function might be useful. It might stop dangerous drivers if they knew there was a much higher chance of being recorded and fined.

    7. Re:Nobody wants this by zippthorne · · Score: 1

      More importantly, my car has a built in hands free that I can operate by voice. Why should I not be allowed to use it.

      Bad example. It's counter-intuitive, but apparently hands-free doesn't actually reduce the risk of a distracted driving accident.

      If we really want to make the roads safer, give me the power to arrest the dipshits that fly around me on the Interstate doing 20 miles above the speed limit and changing lanes like they are at Daytona.

      You really shouldn't be in the middle lane if people are passing you on the right. Also, If the average speed is 20 over the posted limit, there are a number of states whose traffic laws I think could be interpreted to mean that you are the one who breaking the law and creating a hazard by not keeping up.

      There is a technical solution to texting while driving (and also eating cheeseburgers while driving, which iirc is far more dangerous...). It is called autonomous cars. Then you can text and pig out all you want because the car is in control. Once we have one that is demonstrably safer than human drivers, we just need to find a way to deal with all the irrational ninnies who will want to keep the human in control of the vehicle.

      --
      Can you be Even More Awesome?!
    8. Re:Nobody wants this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "More importantly, my car has a built in hands free that I can operate by voice. Why should I not be allowed to use it."

      How is this any better than taklking on the phone while driving? Talking on the phone while driving (even using hands free) has been proven to be at least as dangerous a driving drunk!

      It should be illegal to use a cell phone in any way while driving. No talking, no texting, the phone MUST be turned OFF while driving!

    9. Re:Nobody wants this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you want to pull people over by all means, get yourself a gig as a traffic cop.

      Oh wait, was every line in your entire post a testament to how the world would be a better place if it revolved around you and what you want...? Why yes. Yes it was.

  9. Wrong Solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is the wrong solution. People hate driving in general. Before texting was a thing, I would observe people reading the NYT (full blown page open in front of their steering wheel) while commuting to work.

    Driving is boring, and people use whatever means possible to give themselves something interesting to do while it's occurring. Put the research into voice recognition. It's always been easier to talk than to type.

    1. Re:Wrong Solution by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      People hate driving in general.

      Not all people, but a lot of people do...

      Self-driving cars is the proper technology solution to this problem...

    2. Re:Wrong Solution by Strider- · · Score: 1

      People hate driving in general.

      Eh, not everyone does. I quite enjoy driving, I don't even mind being stuck in traffic, as long as I've got the CBC or NPR on the dial...

      That said, I keep (handsfree) call short and sweet, and the only time I would ever check/send a text is stopped at a red light (which is still a ticketable offence here).

      --
      ...si hoc legere nimium eruditionis habes...
  10. I use my phone... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    To call the police and report unsafe drivers. Why would anyone want to take that away from me?

    1. Re: I use my phone... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      While you're driving?

    2. Re: I use my phone... by kwbauer · · Score: 1

      Yes, while driving. I, like many others, have mastered the art of talking/chewing while walking/driving. I have called to report drunk drivers and had I waited until a place I could pull off the road, my information would have been useless nor would I have been able to continue to report the location to the 911 operator when she called back to ask for updates.

  11. Stiffer penalty by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    People won't chance it if costs as much as seatbelt or redlight tickets. Proving it is quite easy as texting is logged locally and by the carrier.

    1. Re:Stiffer penalty by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      People won't chance it if costs as much as seatbelt or redlight tickets.

      Those aren't expensive here...

      $75 city fine for running a red light, $154 for not having a seat belt on...

      Neither of those are high enough to make many people stop.

      Speeding? Holy crap that has gotten expensive... Try $400+ for going 10 over...

    2. Re:Stiffer penalty by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Moving violations will cost you a huge amount in insurance rate increases.

  12. Location, location, location. by sumdumass · · Score: 1

    A big reason why a technical solution like doesn't work (isn't accepted by the masses) is because it requires someone knowing the location of the phones. In this article, it says it checks the location specifically to determine who the likely driver is. I'm not going to give a third party who is not strictly regulated in how and what can be done with this information permission to track my location 24/7 in order to tell if I'm driving my car or someone else is just to disable communications.

    1. Re:Location, location, location. by stoploss · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'm not going to give a third party who is not strictly regulated in how and what can be done with this information permission to track my location 24/7 in order to tell if I'm driving my car or someone else is just to disable communications.

      This. I can't believe he thought his solution was reasonable when "all" it has to do is have a database of where your family works, goes to school, which cars you own, and, of course track your entire family's location 24/7.

      FFS, I'm an engineer and I take special delight in degenerate solutions, but this is fucked up.

      Maybe this is a degenerate solutions competitive. Okay, let me try one of my own: we will have one member of the Stasi handcuffed to every licensed driver in the country, 24/365. Their job will be to monitor everyone's driving and ensure that the law is being abided. No, of *course* the Stasi member won't share the personal, private aspects of your life with the government... they're just there to keep everyone safe!

    2. Re:Location, location, location. by Archfeld · · Score: 1

      I wish I had mod points right now, that is some FUNNY sh*t...

      Thanks

      --
      errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
    3. Re:Location, location, location. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Plus, think of all the jobs that would be created! 0% unemployment, here we come!

  13. Re: Solution to the Problem by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 2

    I voted for Obama. What was the alternative, again?

    Another big government stooge... Both sucked, so I didn't vote for either...

  14. no, they don't Re:Fines work better ... by damn_registrars · · Score: 1

    Fines and public education work better than a technical solution to stupidity.

    Unfortunately it appears that fines and education have been completely ineffective on the matter. I lived in a place for several years that would have annual campaigns to discourage drivers from texting while driving, followed by announced enhanced enforcement of the offense.

    So what happened? Were people at least smart enough to send fewer messages during the enhanced enforcement period? No. Not even close. Every year the tallies went up.

    People understand when it hits their wallet directly

    For one, most of the people doing this are young and their insurance - and phone bill - are paid by the parents. So nothing is hitting their own wallets directly.

    and when their phones are confiscated.

    I have yet to hear of anyone having their phones confiscated. Although again as the offenders far more often than not are getting everything they need from their parents, confiscation won't do much but prevent them from sending messages for the next 24 hours or so.

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
  15. Passenger Use, Temporary other driver by xaosflux · · Score: 1

    This seems ripe with technical flaws, first it assumes that only known persons would ever operate the vehicle; secondly it presumes that the owner can't let anyone else in the vehicle use their phone.

    1. Re:Passenger Use, Temporary other driver by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe he wants to make it so that if the driver was robbed at gunpoint, or their car was stolen, that the criminal would have a little extra time to get away before the victim could call 911. It's absolutely ingenious. If I knew that cars had this feature, I would be robbing their owners all the time. Hell, I could probably even pretend to get road rage, tap their car with mine, and when they slowed down to pull over and swap insurance info, I could get out of my car and murder them before they could call the police. This would work especially well in states that forbid their citizens to have guns, because then only people like me would have guns, and I could kill others with impunity. It would almost be like if the US Army deliberately amputated the left legs of all of their soldiers just to be politically correct.

  16. Who Cares Who's Driving by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is completely ignoring the fact that anyone in the car could be using the phone. There have been plenty of times I've been in the car when the driver gets a call and I answer it, or call someone from their phone because they had the number pre-programmed, or I'm looking up direction (or doing anything else) on their phone because their's is better than mine. While phones have become sort-of personal devices (for all you upper class families who can afford the luxury of having smart phones and data plans for each family member), they are still easily shared between people and strangers.

    This still ignores the fact that the parent's phone could have been forgotten at work and Jr is not driving. There are so many other things wrong with this tech. It should be left to die.

  17. 10 and 2 is for older cars by zippthorne · · Score: 2

    It's 9 and 3 if you have an airbag, according to the NHTSA.

    I'm skeptical as to whether there has been any benefit to 10 and 2 since power steering became common.

    --
    Can you be Even More Awesome?!
    1. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Archfeld · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I remember learning to drive on my grandfather's farm in his old Willy's truck. You had to double clutch because there was no syncro-gear and if you hit a deep dip or ditch the wheel would spin beneath your hands. It was vital for the survival of your thumbs to ensure that they were NEVER curled around the steering wheel or risk having them broken or torn off completely.

      --
      errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
    2. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Fnord666 · · Score: 2

      I remember learning to drive on my grandfather's farm in his old Willy's truck. You had to double clutch because there was no syncro-gear and if you hit a deep dip or ditch the wheel would spin beneath your hands. It was vital for the survival of your thumbs to ensure that they were NEVER curled around the steering wheel or risk having them broken or torn off completely.

      I was taught the same thing in the Army while learning to drive off road vehicles at high speed. Thumbs outside the wheel always when off road.

      --
      'The tyrant will always find pretext for his tyranny.' - Aesop's Fables
    3. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by fnj · · Score: 1

      It's 9 and 3 if you have an airbag, according to the NHTSA.

      Well, they're close, anyway. In the real world, around 8 and 4, or even 7:30 and 4:30 is a better choice when you're using two hands. It's been a LONG time since power steering obviated the need to ever use both hands to apply torque. Any but the most violent left turn can be easily accomplished solely with the right hand starting at 4 or 4:30, and any but the most violent right turn can easily be accomplished solely with the left hand starting at 7:30 or 8. With the hands starting low, there is much more available motion before you have to do hand-over-hand, and additionally it is safer in case the airbag goes off and tries to do you violent injury.

      The unused hand only comes into play for extremely violent maneuvering; huge hand-over-hand steering inputs.

      Most of the time on the highway, one hand at 12 or 1 is perfectly capable of making any required maneuvers. You can't apply huge inputs at highway speed without spinning out anyway.

      For anybody who uses the seatbelt, the airbag is his worst enemy anyway. You don't want your arms anywhere near that damn thing when it goes off. Most definitely not above the center of the wheel, but better nowhere near it. Drivers who crash cars for a living always cross their arms over their chest just before impact so flailing arms won't shatter bones and gouge wounds if when they hit objects.

      An airbag is not some kind of balloon that blows up fast, like in the cartoons. It has a goddam pyrotechnic inflator. That means explosive. Quicker than the blink of an eye. An airbag is a devastating weapon. If it saves the life of an imbecile who can't trouble to buckle up it MAY be worthwhile, but for anyone of normal intelligence it is a liability.

    4. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by tsa · · Score: 1

      Airbags don't do much good if you're not buckled up. They can't keep your whole body from slamming into the steering wheel and dashboard. So even with an airbag you will still break your legs and slam your head into the windscreen when you're not using the safety belt. Airbags are designed to protect only your head and upper torso from hitting the steering wheel when you are buckled up.

      --

      -- Cheers!

    5. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Rakhar · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Have you been in a car crash where the airbag deployed? Your seatbelt is the most important thing, yes, but god damn that airbag is powerful. I can still taste the blood 8 years later. I can honestly say I've never been hit by anything as hard as that airbag, and that was a low speed crash. I almost lost half of an ear to it as well, since I wear glasses. My glasses flew forwards from the initial impact, then the airbag hit with enough force to push the earpiece through my ear and rip the top half nearly all the way off. A tiny piece of skin was the only thing holding it on. To this day I can't wear in-the-ear earbuds because the one on that side works itself out.

      So yeah, as the poster above you said... Airbags are good in life or death situations. For any other crash, they're easily as much of a danger as the crash itself.

    6. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      i was in a 30 mph car-tree crash. single driver. airbag deployed. my eyeglass frames were bent. i bent them back. no bigs. i injured my shoulder from the crash tho.

    7. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by roger10-4 · · Score: 1

      Yes, hand position plays a significant role in maneuvering if the driver is trained. Take a look at race car driver hand position.

    8. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      RE: my other reply, I've heard that in the US some of the bags are set to ridiculously low speeds, something like 10-15mph, if that's what happened to you then I think you have a valid point, set at 25-30mph they are definitely an "intelligent" option ad serve a different role to seat belts. In fact a properly designed air bag assumes the person is strapped into their seat.

      No offence but I found the part about your glasses leaving your face for a split second fascinating, did it happen in that weird "slow motion" phase of the car crash or did you not even see it because it was so fast?

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    9. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      If it saves the life of an imbecile who can't trouble to buckle up it MAY be worthwhile, but for anyone of normal intelligence it is a liability.

      To understand why this "imbecile" has air bags, first put your seat belt on, now see if you can tap your head gently against the door pillar, now imagine tapping it at 50mph. As for the steering wheel bag it's not there to stop you from leaving your seat and being slammed into the steering column, that's the seat belt's job. The wheel bag is there because "collapsible" steering columns still have a nasty tendency to intrude into the cabin, significantly reducing the the wheel to face gap.

      Disclaimer: I think keep my "liability". Sure it may one day cost me "an arm and a leg" but that's a perfectly rational insurance arrangement given the alternatives.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    10. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      The unused hand only comes into play for extremely violent maneuvering; huge hand-over-hand steering inputs.

      Or if something serious happens, like a wheel falls off. Keep both hands on the wheel.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    11. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Rakhar · · Score: 1

      Car hit stopped car due to winter conditions.
      Airbag hit me with enough force to cause me to black out for a split second. It felt longer but had to be nearly instant.
      Gathered my wits. Noticed pool of blood forming in my lap. Felt blood on neck. Moment of panic thinking my neck was cut.
      Got out of car, found my glasses, noticed bent earpiece.
      Several people come over to help and tell me about my ear. I didn't even know where I was injured.
      Put two and two together in time to stave off the paramedics worries that my head slammed the side window hard enough to do that.

      It was a fairly surreal experience. Afterwards I was simply glad the earpiece had gotten my ear instead of say, my eye socket.

    12. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was in a head-on, low-speed (20 mph total?) collision, and the airbag deployed. My only injury was due to my driving with one hand on the 12:00 position. When the airbag deployed, it pushed my hand into the windshield hard enough to punch an indentation in the windshield.

      I was wearing my seatbelt, so without the airbag I would not have been injured at all. As it was, I needed a few stitches.

    13. Re: 10 and 2 is for older cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fortunately air bags rarely deploy these days. I've been in crashes but never had them go off.

      It has to be a serious crash to deploy them, and a seatbelt will not stop your neck from snapping. You are likely to die in a sudden frontal impact unless the airbag hits your face with approximately equal force as the seat belt, which is likely to break a few ribs.

    14. Re: 10 and 2 is for older cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, the air bag is not a liability.

      It is there to stop the seatbelt from snapping your neck like a twig.

      The car stops suddenly, the seat belt digs in, and your body also stops. But your head keeps moving forward and severs the spinal cord, killing you instantly.

      In a high speed impact, you need an airbag and a seat belt. Or better yet, a full face racing helmet attached to a neck brace - which also stops your head swinging forward.

    15. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by zippthorne · · Score: 1

      Do race cars have power steering? I'd think it would add a decent bit of weight and sap a non negligible part of their engine power allotment.

      --
      Can you be Even More Awesome?!
    16. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by sjames · · Score: 1

      Or they could quit designing cars to deliver the contents of the engine compartment to your lap.

    17. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by MaryAnnEvans · · Score: 0

      Air bags with and without seatbelts have been widely crash tested. They save lives. Period. Your one off anecdote, and interpretation thereof vs imagined outcome without the airbag, is not data. This is not to say that no one has even been injured of killed with an airbag when they wouldn't have without. But they fade into insignificance vs the opposite statistic. Myths that it's more dangerous to war a seatbelt than not to are just as ridiculous.

    18. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by MaryAnnEvans · · Score: 0

      The myth that you can lose your thumbs to an airbag if holding the steering wheel in the 10 to 2 position was busted by Mythbusters.

    19. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Mashiki · · Score: 1

      Well, they're close, anyway. In the real world, around 8 and 4, or even 7:30 and 4:30 is a better choice when you're using two hands.

      It has nothing to do with power steering, it has all to do with the ability to make a turn without removing your hands from the wheel.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    20. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by Dare+nMc · · Score: 1

      Pretty sure a airbag broke my finger, but saved my life (or at least quality of life) while I was seat-belted. I rolled my car at over 60 mph and hit a 6 ton bolder upside down, the bolder cut open the top of my car right above the drivers seat. The car normally had about 4" from roof clearance to my head. Something kept everything that came past the windshield and through the roof separated from my head, and it was allot. The only thing that could have done that was the airbag, or a guardian angel.

    21. Re:10 and 2 is for older cars by dunkelfalke · · Score: 1

      Different countries use differet airbag designs.
      US standards are calculated for unbuckled imbeciles, European standards are calculated for buckled people, so EU airbags are way softer.

      --
      "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
  18. bullshit by silfen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    His "solution" is utter bullshit, trying to capitalize on "think of the children", helicopter parenting, and potential legislation.

    It's usually easy to tell whether a driver involved in an accident was texting and the penalties can be stiff (including manslaughter or vehicular homicide).

    Furthermore, the right company to partner with are insurance companies, but they already have a better mechanism for monitoring in place: they don't care whether you text per se, they care whether you drive erratically for any reason. For lower insurance rates, you can agree to monitoring. Nice voluntary solution and incentive.

    Finally, if there is a technical solution to be developed, it's a good voice-based, hands-free texting app that lets you text with a Bluetooth headset. Phone calls and voice interfaces are legal in most places, and will likely remain so. That's also something many people would use voluntarily because it is both safer and convenient.

    1. Re:bullshit by David_Hart · · Score: 1

      His "solution" is utter bullshit, trying to capitalize on "think of the children", helicopter parenting, and potential legislation.

      It's usually easy to tell whether a driver involved in an accident was texting and the penalties can be stiff (including manslaughter or vehicular homicide).

      Furthermore, the right company to partner with are insurance companies, but they already have a better mechanism for monitoring in place: they don't care whether you text per se, they care whether you drive erratically for any reason. For lower insurance rates, you can agree to monitoring. Nice voluntary solution and incentive.

      Finally, if there is a technical solution to be developed, it's a good voice-based, hands-free texting app that lets you text with a Bluetooth headset. Phone calls and voice interfaces are legal in most places, and will likely remain so. That's also something many people would use voluntarily because it is both safer and convenient.

      My car has voice texting capabilities. Unfortunately, it's tied into the subscription model for the car computer. You can get texts read back to you for free but you have to subscribe to enable the voice text feature. Until car manufacturers offer this for free, no one is going to be any safer.

      The solution that this guy developed is dead on arrival for the same reason. No one is interested in paying additional money just to have their cell phone shut down and their vehicle tracked on a cloud computer. No to mention privacy issues...

    2. Re:bullshit by silfen · · Score: 1

      I think the solution is just to have good Android and iPhone apps doing this. People have tried, but they haven't gotten the dialog quite right yet. I expect in a couple of years, they will.

    3. Re:bullshit by mpe · · Score: 1

      It's usually easy to tell whether a driver involved in an accident was texting and the penalties can be stiff (including manslaughter or vehicular homicide).

      Should there actually be special laws along the lines of "vehicular homicide" especially given that they potentially allow someone to literally "get away with murder".

    4. Re:bullshit by silfen · · Score: 1

      It's basically just "negligent homicide". Some states make a distinction because it's easier to convict. Unless you specifically intend to kill someone, it is not "murder", and the existence of "vehicular homicide" statutes doesn't preclude a charge of murder.

      (In different words, your entire response was complete nonsense.)

    5. Re:bullshit by geekmux · · Score: 1

      His "solution" is utter bullshit, trying to capitalize on "think of the children", helicopter parenting, and potential legislation.

      It's usually easy to tell whether a driver involved in an accident was texting and the penalties can be stiff (including manslaughter or vehicular homicide).

      There's a reason people are this desperate for an answer, so don't sit here and trivialize it, or waive it off as if anything in use today is actually working.

      The only bullshit here is believing that it is.

    6. Re:bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is the whole point of this 'solution', to keep you or others from killing people and impacting their families lives for the rest of their lives. Punishing after the fact does nothing but makes society feel like they are doing something. Any solution has to prevent the accident from happening in the first place.

      His solution doesn't pass the 'Apple' test of ease of use and simplicity, but with tens of thousands of people dieing on the roadways every year (more than terrorism could hope for), more should be done about it.

    7. Re:bullshit by silfen · · Score: 1

      There's a reason people are this desperate for an answer, so don't sit here and trivialize it, or waive it off as if anything in use today is actually working.

      In what way isn't it "working"? Deaths per vehicle mile are at an all time low.

      People's "desperation" is trivial and drummed up by politicians and people with an agenda. But the consequences of this b.s. are anything but trivial: police stops, police brutality, privacy intrusions, and other loss of liberties.

    8. Re:bullshit by geekmux · · Score: 1

      There's a reason people are this desperate for an answer, so don't sit here and trivialize it, or waive it off as if anything in use today is actually working.

      In what way isn't it "working"? Deaths per vehicle mile are at an all time low.

      When you have to word your defense this carefully, even you should question the validity of it.

      I suppose we hardly have a gun problem in the US to argue about either. I mean after all, murders per bullet fired is at an all time low...

    9. Re:bullshit by silfen · · Score: 1

      When you have to word your defense this carefully, even you should question the validity of it.

      That's the right metric to compare. What's your problem with it?

      I suppose we hardly have a gun problem in the US to argue about either. I mean after all, murders per bullet fired is at an all time low...

      The correct metric is "murder rate". It has been declining. We don't have a "gun problem"; we do have a problem with high murder rates, but that has other causes.

      Those are the facts. Sorry they don't fit your prejudices. Anything else?

  19. Engineers and Legislators by Sarusa · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Another engineer who thinks he can cobble up a single technological solution to a social problem.

    This is the same sort of hubris that has legislators passing random crap to 'fix' a problem with zero understanding of the problem or the consequences of their solution. It's arrogance. For one, it assumes you're smarter (or at least sharper) than the people you're trying to control.

    (Disclaimer: I'm an engineer.)

    1. Re:Engineers and Legislators by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Steve tibbits tidbit sucky.

    2. Re:Engineers and Legislators by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      This, a thousand times this.

      It's a SOCIAL problem. It's amazing how many people simply don't get this. You can't engineer away social problems by applying limits. You can only engineer away social problems by changing social behaviors.

      Samsung has trialed this approach with great success with S Drive. Rather than try and prevent people from using their phone, encourage people with incentives for using it safely (voice activation only, limits to phone functionality, text to speech interface), and demerit them for unsafe actions (touching the phone while in use). The idea is quite amazing and something like this could be a game changer.

      Once you modify behaviors enough that they become instinctive then you can start rolling back the incentives and you have solved the social problem.

    3. Re:Engineers and Legislators by vandamme · · Score: 1

      He's an entrepreneur who sees a large audience of suckers to sell his gismo to.

  20. More details by jbolden · · Score: 2

    Anyone understands how this works? There are a lot of data features of my phone that pair with driving. GPS being an obvious one with traffic updates. Another is podcast downloads. And if those data networks are open then I assume most texting services other than SMS work. SMS I figure for most people is a tiny percentage of their traffic at this point. So unless they are blacklisting particular services...?

    And of course phone calls have to work: reliable phone while driving is the main reason I own a cell phone in the first place. I assume I'm not alone in this.

    I think easy would be adding to automated responses for all messaging services, "Driving, need to give you a long response, call my cell."

    1. Re:More details by silfen · · Score: 1

      I think easy would be adding to automated responses for all messaging services, "Driving, need to give you a long response, call my cell."

      There are several apps for that.

    2. Re:More details by jbolden · · Score: 1

      Which ones?

    3. Re:More details by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WP8.1 has it built in (http://www.windowsphone.com/en-GB/how-to/wp8/basics/use-driving-mode)
      And a quick search of the appstores of the two main os's for something like driving mode (drivemodepro is such an app on the android store) should find you something suitable

  21. Re:no, they don't Re:Fines work better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    People learn through punishment, anything else is a waste of time and money for everyone involved. Careless people should lose their license and spend some time in a cell. Anyone caught twice should lose their license permanently. Irresponsible people should not drive heavy vehicles anywhere near other people.

  22. It's easy by the_Bionic_lemming · · Score: 1

    Instead of a technology solution, just ratchet up distracted driving to DUI costs.

    If the officer sees you in the left lane doing under the speed limit while staring at a cellphone with thumbs twitching - pull them over, impound the car, and fine the driver $20,000 and suspend their license.for two years on a first offense.

    Problem solved.

    I'll await the downmodding of the folks that think it's ok to let go of the steering wheel to text while on an interstate and in the left lane.

    --
    _ _ _ Go for the eyes Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!
    1. Re:It's easy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Sounds like a good solution, but there is a problem with this:

      that would make it very, very easy for police officers to abuse - and they would. Fighting it would cost you thousands gaining access to records, and having a lawyer represent you.

    2. Re:It's easy by Whorhay · · Score: 1

      I don't know that I would go to DUI levels necessarily to me. But where I live using a cell phone while driving looks like it should fit the elements for Reckless Driving. Which can have a hefty fine although not cripplingly so, and or anywhere from 5 to 90 days in jail, and possible suspension of license. Honestly I think having a serious threat of going to jail for a few days minimum would cut the amount of casual cell phone use while driving pretty effectively.

  23. cone of silence triggered by seat switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    localized cell disruption at the drivers seat while the car is in motion or was 1 minute ago. And if the cone of silence is disabled, a jolt of 50,000 volts starts hitting the driver's ass when the car is moving and the cone is disabled. How many parents would buy into this?

  24. About 5 years ago... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    About 5 years ago, a group was putting pressure on the FCC to have mandatory bluetooth sensors in phones and cars so that when the car was in drive, the phone wouldn't ring and you couldn't send or receive texts. You could only dial 911. And it was killed, both by the carriers, and the car manufacturers. The solution was dead simple, and both rejected it. People *like* to text and drive, and talk and drive, and they don't mind getting killed or killing other people when they do it.

    1. Re:About 5 years ago... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      People *like* to text and drive, and talk and drive,

      Passengers like to text or call and ride. Or situations like where my wife can check my phone when I am driving, and more often than not answer it depending on who's calling. And that is not getting into handsfree, voice controlled options.

  25. Re:no, they don't Re:Fines work better ... by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 1

    Sure, every year the tallies went up - but so did the number of users. Hit them with $500 - $1000 fines for distracted driving, impound the vehicle for 30 days, 9 demerit points, and permanently confiscate the phone, and they'll be so much less likely to repeat. And their friends will get the message soon enough.

    --
    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
  26. Re: Solution to the Problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What was the alternative, again?

    I don't know, what state did you live in during the 2012 election? Because depending on the state, we have one of three outcomes.

    1) The alternative was Mitt Romney.
    2) There was no alternative, Obama was guaranteed to win your state.
    3) There was no alternative, Romney was guaranteed to win your state.

    If either 2 or 3 apply to you, then thanks for being a part of the problem by maintaining the status quo of your state.

  27. Re: Solution to the Problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

    I don't think you understand. There are more than two political parties. If you didn't vote for one of the alternatives instead of voting for one of two people you thought sucked, you are a part of the problem.

    Then again, Obama did wook pwetty hawt wif himsss ssshirt off, dint he? I get an erection jusssst finking about him. No homo.

  28. There are already technological soltions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Apple's siri and android's equivalents let you do voice to text so what's the big deal?

  29. Voice operation of smartphones sucks by Animats · · Score: 1

    The smartphone crowd assumes they own the user's eyeballs. They don't. What's needed is better voice integration. You should be able to call, receive calls, text, and receive texts via a Bluetooth headset with the phone in your pocket.

    Android sucks at this. My Samsung flip-phone had better voice dialing than my Android phone. Wildfire, which is from 1997, did this quite well. But it was really expensive to do back then, and was priced as high as $250/month. Then Microsoft bought Wildfire and abandoned the product.

  30. no Business Model by philcal · · Score: 1
    If this made sense, then makeup boxes, newspapers and hamburgers should also be prevented from opening when there's motion.

    However those ideas and Scott's device completely ignore what people want:

    • People who don't want to text while driving simply don't, so they don't need [or want] this device in their car.
    • People who do want to text while driving especially won't want this device in their car.

    Either way nobody wants it, and neither ISPs nor the Government are going to make friends by mandating the technology. The underlying problem is that people who text while driving don't believe they are being unsafe. Hence the solution is education and fines, not big-brother style "track the entire family and force them to comply" technology.

    @Scott: a business model is meant to involve customers, sales, and revenue. Supply and demand and all that. You ain't got no demand. Move on.

  31. Why not just make it safer? by MrKaos · · Score: 1

    Instead of making it more difficult to text while driving - why not make it easier? People are going to do it so why not have speech to text conversions and heads up displays so people don't have to take their hands or eyes off the wheel and road. The technology is already out there, people will use it even when it is irresponsible to do so - so instead why not just make it safer and easier so that people can get on with driving?

    There is no law out there that has more influence than a partner, child or obligation has to take the risk in the first place.

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
  32. However by Greyfox · · Score: 1

    A Darwinian solution to the problem is right on track!

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  33. Passenger using the phone? by Hamsterdan · · Score: 1

    I sometimes use the driver's phone to send a text message (we're stuck and traffic and will be late), or use the GPS function (again, on the driver's phone).

    Unless it can determine if the phone's in the driver's or passenger's hands, it's a very bad idea.

    --
    I've got better things to do tonight than die.
    1. Re:Passenger using the phone? by itsdapead · · Score: 1

      Unless it can determine if the phone's in the driver's or passenger's hands, it's a very bad idea.

      Yes, because if we couldn't use our phones in our cars then the seas would boil, the sky would fall and our world would shudder to a halt...

      --
      In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
  34. Pfffft! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    according to the FCC it is illegal to interfere with cell networks so i call bs... you can do what this thing does with a simple app for free on any network/os or common sense... way over technical and big brother type...

  35. This doesn't make sense by atari2600a · · Score: 1

    What if you're using a tethered handsfree device to call the police? Why does it need to remember all this stuff instead of relying on a triangulating antenna system? What happens if there's 2 GSM/LTE devices in the front left?

  36. Solving the wrong problem by XaXXon · · Score: 1

    The problem isn't how do we make people safer drivers.

    The problem is how do we make people NOT the drivers. Then we don't have to worry about whether they are texting.

  37. Simpler Solution by craighansen · · Score: 1

    I'm not convinced that this is a problem that needs a solution, but to me, a simple solution to the problem is this:

    Start the car with the cell phone. In that way, which cell phone is associated with the driver is simple.

    A more detailed disclosure follows:

    Instead of starting the car with a key or a button, start the car by sending a text message. The car then blocks sending text messages by that phone for as long as the car is moving, (or in an alternative embodiment, as long as the car is operating). This prevents that particular phone from being used in whatever prohibited manner is desired, such as no texting when the car is moving (or when the car is operating).

    In an alternative embodiment, an application running on the cell phone is started to start the car operating, and beginning making the cell phone operate in a restricted manner. In an alternative embodiment, well-known cryptographic techniques are employed by the software application to start the car in a secure manner. Thus, the car replaces a physical or electronic key. As a side effect, the phone in control by the driver is identified for restricted operation.

    Similarly, in an alternative embodiment, the phone can be prevented from other prohibited uses, such as (but limited to) web browsing, non-hands free calling, and so forth. When the car is turned off (with button, or ignition key), normal operation of the phone can resume.

    Technologically, this is most easily enforced by the phone itself, under command from the car. In an alternative embodiment, the car can block attempted communication by that particular phone advertising itself as a micro-cell-tower that only that particular phone connects to.

    In an alternative embodiment, the car can signal that the phone should enter a lower-power operating condition, and take over monitoring communications on behalf of the phone, such as by advertising signals matching what the phone would normally employ to maintain cell-tower communications and wake up the phone to a higher-power state when an incoming call or incoming message arrives. In an alternative embodiment, this operating mode would use car hardware to maintain hands-free communications mode in replacement to the normal communications modes of the cell phone.

    All patent rights reserved. Contact me for licensing.

    1. Re:Simpler Solution by p.g.king · · Score: 1

      And I'd think most of those ideas suffer various problems too. Most ideas trying to solve social problems end up over-engineered and even more so when trying to iron out the problems.

      There are plenty of people with mobile handsets which number other than 1.

      Those with 0 for example, either through battery being dead, stolen, lost, quick run to the shops without picking up a phone or simply choose not to have a phone. We seem to now be blocking them from using the car. Well I guess we'll need to engineer some sort of override to allow for that? Now the system without the override is a worse experience for most people, but being the same law abiding, socially caring people who wouldn't text whist driving anyway, they won't use the override except in a genuine situation right?

      More than 1, well I guess that only one is blocked so no problem texting etc. as we go. I guess we could implement the cell site thing to ensure all the phones in the car connect to that right? Well what about passengers in the car etc. Guess we need some vision systems so the car can also see who is operating the car and the phones?

      And whatever you do you can bet those who are willing to break the law still will, they'll find a way of getting around it. So you still need to find ways of actually enforcing the law anyway...

  38. Engineering solution to allow safe texting by loufoque · · Score: 0

    It would be more useful to engineer a solution to allow safe texting instead...

  39. Re:no, they don't Re:Fines work better ... by Dan541 · · Score: 1

    Although again as the offenders far more often than not are getting everything they need from their parents, confiscation won't do much but prevent them from sending messages for the next 24 hours or so.

    These are people who can't go for 10 minutes without texting. Think what 24hours will do.

    --
    An SQL query goes to a bar, walks up to a table and asks, "Mind if I join you?"
  40. Is it really that dangerous? by swb · · Score: 1

    It seems dangerous to me -- I don't text while I drive, but I've futzed with my phone to make a call or change some settings and even that seems like it could easily cause problems.

    That being said, not a day goes by that I'm driving that I don't see one or more people texting and driving and yet from 2006 to 2011, fatal motor vehicle crashes went down in the US every year.

    If texting is as dangerous ("think of the children", "we have to do something", etc) as its made out to be and as prevalent as it seems to be, why are motor vehicle fatalities going down? Shouldn't the "epidemic" of texting be pushing them up, especially if its so dangerous?

    1. Re:Is it really that dangerous? by Whorhay · · Score: 1

      Fatalities being down can be attributed to all kinds of other factors, such as:
      Better safety features in general as older unsafe cars age out.
      Safer road and traffic engineering.
      Red light cameras reducing incidence of fatal T-Bone style accidents.
      Better emergency medical response.
      Poor economy for most people resulting in less driving.

  41. Can we stop lying? by Murdoch5 · · Score: 1

    There is no such thing as distracted driving! There are bad drivers, incompetent drivers, morons, assholes and people who should never of been given a license in first place but there is nothing called distracted driving. Just because you can't use your cellphone and drive doesn't I can't, I could have 20 naked women all grinding me and still drive a prefect straight line well taking in everything in my environment, which doesn't mean that if another person, in the same situation, crashes it's distracted driving. Just as video games don't cause violence, Atheism doesn't cause a loss of morals, cell phones don't make you a bad driver, you either are a bad driver or you're not.

    All this talk about how to handle cell phones in the car is just silly, don't do anything! It's not up to the car or police to control phone use in car, it's up to the driver to realize that they have no control of a car well texting or calling. Yes people have died as a result of someone using a cell phone well driving, but in reality they died because the person behind the wheel was given a license when in fact they shouldn't of been. A cell phone has never caused an accident, only a driver can cause an accident, can we start calling out piss poor driving and stop trying make excuses. Bad driving is the problem, don't make your cellphone take the fall for the fact you can't drive.

    1. Re:Can we stop lying? by itsdapead · · Score: 1

      Yes people have died as a result of someone using a cell phone well driving, but in reality they died because the person behind the wheel was given a license when in fact they shouldn't of been.

      So its simple! Add some new question to the drivers licence application form:

      1. Do you think you are capable of safely using a cell phone while driving?
      (A) Yes. (go to Question 2)
      (B) No. (Automatic disqualification: doesn't meet Murdoch5's definition of a good driver)

      2. Do you have 3 arms and a third, independently moving, eye?
      (A) Yes (Automatic disqualification - licenses only available to Homo Sapiens)
      (B) No (Automatic disqualification - has delusions of superhuman skills)

      ...that would cut down the number of idiots in cars.

      --
      In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
    2. Re:Can we stop lying? by Murdoch5 · · Score: 1

      If you think you need super human skill to text and drive then you need to give up your license.

    3. Re:Can we stop lying? by itsdapead · · Score: 1

      If you think you need super human skill to text and drive then you need to give up your license.

      Sorry - I thought your original post might have been tongue-in-cheek and that if I called you out on that directly I'd get a ton of "Whoosh!" posts. Evidently not. Oh dear.

      I just hope that when your luck runs out its just an embarrassing autocorrect incident caused by texting without looking at the screen, rather than a fatal accident caused by driving without looking at the road (unless you have the aforementioned third eye).

      --
      In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
    4. Re:Can we stop lying? by Murdoch5 · · Score: 1

      It's not luck, why would luck dictate my ability to quantify the amount of spacial reference around me and react? Granted that driving in India of China might be a different ball game but I still fail to see why I would need super human ability to text and drive, driving is only about taking in the amount if matter around you and reacting to it, something which a human brain is pretty good at, texting is simply typing a message and thanks to all keyboards being standardized you should be able to do that with out looking at the screen, so I fail to see your points, you're either a bad driver or you believe the lies about non-existent distracted driving.

  42. Why are we saving imbeciles? by mpercy · · Score: 1

    "If it saves the life of an imbecile who can't trouble to buckle up it MAY be worthwhile"

    Aren't we just keeping them in the gene pool and overall adding to the eventual enfeeblement of the species re intelligence?

    Seems to me that we need to have a lot less of this saving of the lives of imbeciles. E.g. Forest Service is increasingly having to mount rescue operation to save idiots who climb part way up a mountain wearing a t-shirt, jeans and loafers and no equipment except a cell phone.

  43. I regularly use crosswalks and wait for the light by mpercy · · Score: 1

    I press the button at the cross walk and wait for the little man to light up saying it's OK to cross.

    And I still--on an almost weekly basis--get run over by people coasting up trying to make a right-on-red without actually a) stopping or b) checking for pedestrians standing right in front of them.

  44. Google now / Siri by brunes69 · · Score: 1

    I have an app that reads incoming texts to me over my in-car bluetooth and lets me respond by voice. How does this account for that?

  45. A very simple solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Liberal Americans are just plain stupid. They all believe that they are entitled to everything on earth, and be able to do anything at any time. Well, the simple solution is what the entire rest of the world does and recognize that if people cannot control themselves than to take away the privilege; Take away the driver's license for years or possibly for LIFE should they kill someone from their selfish acts.

    No one has the right to be so selfish and play with their toys that they hurt or kill another. Well, if you're a liberal American you might believe it but you're wrong.

  46. A true fix for constant communication by geekmux · · Score: 1

    "The problem is that Tibbitts can't get anyone interested in setting up a system to make these devices ubiquitous. Consumers can't be sold on such a product: all evidence suggests people are increasingly unwilling to be cut off from constant communication."

    Hrm. I wonder how that same consumer will feel about being "cut off" sitting in a jail cell for vehicular manslaughter.

    I only list that here for reference. The electric chair isn't enough of a deterrent for people these days. After all, everyone thinks they are an excellent texter.

  47. Well by jaredm1 · · Score: 1

    "all evidence suggests people are increasingly unwilling to be cut off from constant communication"... wouldn't it make MORE sense then to promote technology that allows you to be in communication without having to take your eyes off the road... like the same way you can talk to a passenger in the vehicle whilst driving?

    I dunno, Apple's 'Siri Eyes Free' and initiatives by others are one route to this whilst driverless cars are the other. Engineers seem to pick losing battles by creating technology with a 'computer says no' mindset instead of focussing on technology that tries to safely accommodate what people want to do.

    I for one hope Scott Tibbitts fails in this endeavour and learns enough from it to focus on progressive and enhancing technology rather than restrictive technology.

  48. Do not mess with my phone. by AchimbaProphet · · Score: 2

    I do not need an increase in the number of ways for my communication channels to be closed regardless of how benevolent the reason. I need more guarantees that my communication channels will be open and available when I need them. Not deactivated by law enforcement or the military or the government, not jammed by tech savvy hobbyists, and certainly not deactivated by an automobile.

    1. Re:Do not mess with my phone. by rubycodez · · Score: 0

      This generation needs their phone "messed with". You are too dependent on your pocket entertainment system and it is rude and dangerous to others at times. Cars and meeting rooms and theaters should jam your phone until emergency detected.

    2. Re:Do not mess with my phone. by nctritech · · Score: 1

      [citation needed]

  49. Try vision system to identify distraction by jpc1957 · · Score: 1

    Maybe it's possible to identify driver distraction with a vision based system, rather then intercepting the cell phone signal? One or two IR cameras on the driver, they know when the driver is not looking forward. If you look away/down for a long enough period (based on speed of car), there is distraction. None of the privacy or passenger issues compared to approaches that target the cell phone signals. What the system does when it actually identifies distraction would be the next question. Alarm, small throttle decrease.... Or maybe it summarizes the data and presents to the driver/passenger on the dashboard - an attentiveness display. Good for new drivers, and sleepy ones too.

  50. Backwards solutions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Agreed, this is plain dumb. It's not a technological problem but one of driving education and lack of responsibility with various shortcomings in the driver.

    When mobile and I need to look something up on my cell I often give my phone to someone else in the car to handle. Ditto I rather use it while waiting at red light. I'm a bad phone conversationist when driving because I have most of my attention on the traffic. Maybe it's just me but I can tell when it's safe to put some attention onto something else. In other words I never remove attention that is required to be on my environment. Plus a cell phone can be raised high enough to not require one to look away from traffic, which if it's illegal, and you still intend to use it, requires you keep it low and out of sight. Which no doubt is behind the increase in texting accidents. On top of it my phone can take verbal commands and text verbally, including reading it back to me. (Thanks Google!)

    Last week I spoke to someone who wanted a technological solution to prevent staff from receiving audio and video streams at work as it ate up too much bandwidth. The were trying to resolve it with technology, but it's a managment problem and I told them to make sure it's understood why they need have such a policy in place, and then to enforce it.

    Some 40 people at that job have stopped playing movies and music over the internet. They have also ordered more bandwidth. Their legit needs would have been hell to handle properly with packet filtering and proxy's. Turns out it was easily handled with some good communication.

    Rather than pooring an ungodly amount of money into backscatter X-ray machines which have not stopped anything real, unlike real detective work which is about the only thing that works. They pour money into a usless and on many account dangerous techmology solution solution when what it needs is people.

    Imagine if some of that money was spent on simple simulators, like a PC with steering wheel and pedals, where each driver get's to try to do other things while driving and random things occur giving the driver reality on how removing attention from the environment can have fateful consequences. There's nothing like having an accident to realize what does not work.

  51. I want it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I would absolutely support a device like this being legislated. I a) had a beautiful classic car seriously damaged by a moron talking on a cell-phone, and b) still drive cars I actually care about, and c) enjoy driving and want to stop having to worry about morons texting while the drive, and d) often drive with people I care about in my car and e) have a number of people I care about who are too damn stupid to stop texting/talking when they are, themselves, driving... Unfortunately, people are obviously too idiotic to stop endangering themselves and others voluntarily, so I say stick it to them and make it mandatory. Use technology and penalties to protect the idiots from themselves and to protect others from them at well. I would completely support texting convictions to be on par with DUI convictions, even to the point of the permanent loss of driving privileges. If you are too dumb, too arrogant, and too careless to stop texting while driving, even now that the risks are known, then you either a) stop texting while driving, or b) have your driving privileges revoked, possibly permanently.

  52. Re:I regularly use crosswalks and wait for the lig by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Even better - I have had cars honk at me for being in the crosswalk despite having the go-ahead.

  53. Passing a left turning cyclist on the right by tepples · · Score: 1

    Better enforcement of "drive right". (on the highway, you pass on the left, drive on the right, it is safer than what we do in the US, which is to drive all over the road at random speeds)

    Except on those parts of a highway that are inside city limits and have city speed limits. There you're likely to see a cyclist in the left hand lane for a block or so before the cyclist makes a left turn.

  54. Honey over Vinegar (Handsfree Features) by tapspace · · Score: 1

    I've read about this guy's idea, and I can see why it won't catch on. It feels very nanny state. It seems like if we're going to mandate technology to stop people from using cell phones while driving it should be handsfree technology. If we give teens (for example) a good handsfree alternative to texting in the car, they'll use it. So, let's not spend the money trying to jam communications, something that feels very nannyish and is likely to be worked around by drivers. Let's spend the money and give people and incentive to put down the phone and drive. Handsfree texting and calling would do this. Ford Sync does this, but the system is quite inferior to Siri or Google's voice recognition.

  55. But by justthinkit · · Score: 1

    But cell phone using drivers don't drive like this. They drive slower, if anything. They don't speed, if anything. They don't weave, if anything. They don't run traffic lights or stop signs, if anything.

    What they do is not pay attention. They don't realize the light has changed. They don't realize they are going slow in the fast lane. And they suddenly change lanes -- typically from the extreme left to the extreme right lane -- when their cell phone GPS tells them that they need to turn right now.

    Cell phone using drivers are 50% "just" annoying other drivers, and 50% the deadliest thing on the road.

    --
    I come here for the love
  56. German speed limits by justthinkit · · Score: 1
    Wiki:

    General speed limits in Germany are set by the federal government. All limits are multiples of 5 km/h. There are two default speed limits: 50 km/h (31 mph) inside built-up areas and 100 km/h (62 mph) outside built-up areas. While parts of the autobahns and many other freeway-style highways have a posted limits up to 130 km/h (81 mph) based on accident experience, congestion and other facts, many rural sections have no general speed limit. The German Highway Code (StraÃYenverkehrs-Ordnung) section on speed begins with the requirement which may be rendered in English:

    Any person driving a vehicle may only drive so fast that the car is under control. Speeds must be adapted to the road, traffic, visibility and weather conditions as well as the personal skills and characteristics of the vehicle and load.

    This requirement applies to all roads, and is similar to the "reasonable speed" legal obligation levied in other nations.

    Speed limits are enforced with a small tolerance. Driving merely 3 km/h (2 mph) or faster above the posted or implied speed limit is considered a punishable infraction in Germany.

    I'll take the American approach any day.

    --
    I come here for the love
    1. Re:German speed limits by fikx · · Score: 1

      Everything in that quoted text seems reasonable. I was surprised you ended with a comment that the American approach was better. What's specifically wrong with the German wording?

      --
      AB HOC POSSUM VIDERE DOMUM TUUM
    2. Re:German speed limits by justthinkit · · Score: 1

      The 2 mph above = a ticket. Many cars have Mickey Mouse speedos that display in 5 mph increments. Good luck avoiding a ticket. Talk about a money maker...

      --
      I come here for the love
  57. Root by nctritech · · Score: 2

    Root phone. Remove nanny state functionality. End of thread.

    1. Re:Root by nctritech · · Score: 1

      While we're on the subject, why not invent something useful such as a windshield-projected HUD interface for the phone with voice interface capability? It seems like that would allow the use of texts while driving and keep all eyes facing the road.

    2. Re:Root by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly, this is a backward approach to the problem. People will find ways around these types of methods. We need smarter devices that allow us to do it all by voice making it easier to do it the safe way than the deadly way. A lot of people are dumb and dangerous but if we trick them with a safer & easier alternative everyone wins.

  58. Abject failures abound by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    John and Jane are married and are in the car together. John is driving, John's phone has GPS turned off, Jane's is turned on. Whose phone get's blocked?

    John and Jane are driving together. Both John and Jane are visiting a close friend of Johns and they're running late. Jane wants to send a text message from John's phone to the friend to let her know (friend doesn't have Jane's number). Can't because John's phone is blocked.

    John's on his own driving using his GPS. He uses Android phone and Tasker to send out a text message as he hits a certain point in his drive to let Jane know he's coming home. Message gets blocked because the technology doesn't care how the SMS is blocked.

    These were three that came right off the top of my early Sunday morning not had breakfast yet head.

  59. Re:I regularly use crosswalks and wait for the lig by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I stop and stand in front of those people for a short time to make the point that I have the right of way, there isn't a damn thing they can do about it, and having a little patience will get them on their way faster than being a prick. However, I also have the misfortune of living on a busy state highway half a block from a lighted crosswalk where the drivers don't want to stop even when the lights are flashing, forcing the pedestrian to take their life in their hands or never cross the road. This creates in me the tendency to be an asshole when I'm crossing the road in a crosswalk - and I only use crosswalks because I recognize that I am safer when I cross a street at a crosswalk because that is where drivers expect me to be (rather than at some random point between crosswalks).

  60. nobody interested? no wonder, really by l3v1 · · Score: 1

    "Both sets of information â" from the car and phone â" are sent to Katasi's servers. Then, an algorithm weighs the incoming data with other information, like the location of the phones belonging to all the people who drive the car and the starting point of the trip; if the trip starts at Junior's high school, and mom and dad's phones are at work, the driver has been identified â" Junior is driving."

    I mean come on. In order for you cell phone to not allow you texting while you drive, you and everyone in your family would need to share their location with some crap company with no data privacy regulation at all (we are talking about a U.S. company after all). I wouldn't be interested in such a product even if it was free. Its stupid and idiotic and ridiculous.

    The only, I repeat ONLY situation when access to the phone or the navigation should be restcieted while the car is moving is when there is a single person in the vehicle, and that could be checked with seat sensors and cameras, no external company would need to collect you and your family's locations just to decide whether it's you who's driving the damn car.

    --
    I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I can think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
  61. Be careful what you wish for... by TomGreenhaw · · Score: 1

    What if a system like red light cameras were devised? Snap a picture of a car that has a moving cell phone signal. If the photo clearly shows the driver engaging in distracted driving send them a court summons.

    None of us condone running red lights, but do we like red light cameras? Have they made the roads safer?

    --
    Greed is the root of all evil.
    1. Re:Be careful what you wish for... by itsdapead · · Score: 1

      What if a system like red light cameras were devised?

      Why the high tech? Just erect a simple sign:

      Win an iWatch!
      Text your license plate number to 800-911-FUZZ now!
      [smallprint]Texts charged at $300 + legal fees and immediate suspension of driving license. iWatch prize subject to availability. Entrants may be shot.[/smallprint]

      ...because that sort of thing seems to work well with obsessive texters. Heck, as well as making the roads safer it might train users not to respond to phishing texts, too!

      --
      In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
    2. Re:Be careful what you wish for... by TomGreenhaw · · Score: 1

      I like it :-) Simpler is almost always better.

      --
      Greed is the root of all evil.
  62. Servers? by Excelcia · · Score: 1

    Both sets of information — from the car and phone — are sent to Katasi's servers.

    Well that's not even a little troubling. I mean, one stop shopping - a central location that stores data on where everyone is all the time, and who is driving where any time someone gets in a car. All because some people drive while texting? That's not overkill at all. Nuh uh.

    Betcha law enforcement has a woody about this.

    The NSA doesn't need to do covert data surveillance. They just need to start up companies like Google and this Katasi that can do it all right in the open.

    Errrr.... wait....

  63. Autonomous self-driving cars? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I thought self-driving cars were the technological answer to texting, shaving, putting on makeup, making breakfast, answering emails, fragging enemies and sleeping while driving.

  64. Does everyone in the US drive by themselves? by evenmoreconfused · · Score: 1

    Every discussion I've read on this issue ignores the fact that there could be passengers in the car, and there's no reason to disable their phones. Very much the opposite, in fact, because they can be looking up addresses, getting directions, etc.

    if the trip starts at Junior's high school, and mom and dad's phones are at work, the driver has been identified — Junior is driving.

    What if all three phones are in the car? Which one does it disable then?

    --
    No. Well...maybe. Actually, yes. It really just depends.
  65. It will work, and it will be law of the land. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why? Because as soon as The Man has access to your driving habits, they'll feel free to further monetize you by charging you remotely for infractions, using your location data as evidence against you. They'll happily share it with retailers, too, so that they can also have a crack at whatever is left in your wallet after you've paid your fines. And the usual acronyms will demand access to all of that information behind the curtains, so that they can continue to pre-judge all of us as drug dealers and terrorists.

  66. Not gonna happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    First of all I don't believe that there is any way to be 100% certain that the driver is the one using the phone. As another poster pointed out, what if the passenger uses the driver's phone to make a call or send a text?

    People are not gonna accept this kind of thing anyway.

  67. Re:no, they don't Re:Fines work better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sanctions that severe would also cause the immediate loss of a job - since you can't get there, and you can't call and tell them you have a problem

    Only half sarcastic.

  68. Re:no, they don't Re:Fines work better ... by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 1

    Sanctions that severe would also cause the immediate loss of a job - since you can't get there, and you can't call and tell them you have a problem

    Public transit and a pay phone.

    We already seize vehicles on the spot for other offences. And the punishment - losing your cell phone - certainly fits the crime - endangering others by texting while driving.

    --
    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
  69. Re: Solution to the Problem by mark-t · · Score: 1

    Bear in mind that for most people, they perceive that if they do not vote for the lesser of the two evils to give it as many votes as possible then the vote for that party will be split, and that the party they actually want in the least would end up winning by a landslide... They perceive such as vote as being wasted, whereas they believe that if enough people at least voted for the lesser of two evils between the "main two" instead of splitting their vote across arguably much better parties, whose platforms they might even more strongly be in alliance and maybe even knowingly agree with, then a party that they may perceive as exponentially worse would have the greatest chance of not getting in.

  70. Are you really a transtesticle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I read you are here http://slashdot.org/comments.p... and seeing you keep a TomHudson sockpuppet account http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... and this other of your many sockpuppets on slashdot too http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... also makes me believe you may be. Are you?

  71. Are you really a transtesticle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I read you are here http://slashdot.org/comments.p... and seeing you keep a TomHudson sockpuppet account http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... and this other of your many sockpuppets on slashdot too http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... also makes me believe you may be. Are you?

  72. Are you really a transtesticle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I read you are here http://slashdot.org/comments.p... and seeing you keep a TomHudson sockpuppet account http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... and this other of your many sockpuppets on slashdot too http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... also makes me believe you may be. Are you?

  73. Are you really a transtesticle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I read you are here http://slashdot.org/comments.p... and seeing you keep a TomHudson sockpuppet account http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... and this other of your many sockpuppets on slashdot too http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... also makes me believe you may be. Are you?

  74. Perspective by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 1

    The energy in a 4,000lb vehicle moving at 40-60 mph is considerable.

    The [kinetic] energy in a 4,000 lb (1814.37 kg) vehicle moving at 40-60 mph (17.8816-26.8224 m/s) is 213,948-481382 ftlbf (290-653 kJ).

    This is equivalent to between 69 and 156 g of TNT.

    For a sense of perspective, this amount of TNT is roughly the size of a contemporary smartphone (a bit bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus on the high end, a bit smaller than the iPhone 5S on the low end).

    Since Dynamite has about 60% more energy density than TNT, this is between a quarter stick and a half stick of Dynamite.

    That's how much kinetic energy your small SUV has when moving at highway speeds. You hit the full stick of Dynamite mark at 72.4 mph in your 4,000 lb vehicle.

    A car that has a curb weight near 4,000 lbs is the Jaguar XJ (X300).

    It took the equivalent of nearly 129 million Jaguar XJ (X300) cars, each crashed into an unyielding obstacle at 72.4 mph, to carve the Panama Canal.

    --
    Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
  75. Free Market Solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If a road were privately owned, it could simply set a rule banning TWD, with a penalty of a 1 year ban if caught. If you couldn't drive to work for a year, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't TWD.

  76. BarbaraHudson: "Eat your words"... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "His only "legend in his own mind" was that he claimed that "his" hosts file could completely secure a windows computer. " - by tomhudson (43916) on Saturday February 12, @11:19AM (#35186644) Homepage Journal FROM -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... in the YEAR 2011 years ago no less

    I never claimed a HOSTS file can secure you completely... show me where I have? I want a quote, big talker... you'll never get it, because I never, EVER said that: HOSTS files are, however, a valuable layer of defense for the concept of "layered security".

    * You couldn't produce proof THEN, & you certainly can't now (vainly *trying* to put words in my mouth I NEVER ONCE SAID!)

    APK

    P.S.=> Still @ your LIES, you transsexual weirdo? Ok, asking it again now nearly 5 yrs. later now in response to your bullshit lies again here quoted:

    "APK - not only an expert on how the HOSTS file is the best way to secure your computer" - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Wednesday September 17, 2014 @07:06PM (#47932519) Homepage

    Under your NEW sockpuppet account too no less: SEE my challenge to you above - where've I ever said they completely secure you? I never have, liar...

    Of course, YOU ARE welcome to disprove my points on them after you said this lately too:

    "I tore apart your stupid hosts file crapola." - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Tuesday August 19, 2014 @10:46AM (#47703255) Homepage

    Oh, really?

    Then why'd you run from disproving my points on them giving users added speed, security, reliability & more here too then -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme... ?

    ... apk

  77. Get to know the REAL 'BarbaraHudson'... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One of the 1st times "Barb" libeled me stating "APK is a know-nothing that's never worked in the industry" -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... in 1 of her numerous sockpuppet fake accounts kept active @ the same time here she uses to upmod herself & downmod opponents she can't get the better of (everyone's onto your games, freak).

    Funny part is I've DONE FAR BETTER than ole' "cyclops Frank N. Furter" ever has shown in that exchange too http://slashdot.org/comments.p... , lol!

    ---

    Later, he/she kept a journal on me & libeled me even more but worse -> http://slashdot.org/journal/25...

    (Typical b.s. to *try* to 'put down' computer "geeks/nerds" saying "I live in a basement with my mommy" etc. when *ANYTHING BUT THAT* is true, considering I am a taxpaying homeowner!).

    ---

    * From the dates you can SEE she's kept this up unceasingly since early to mid 2010 no less, & that's only scratching the surface (there's far more).

    (Even TELLING OTHERS TO HARASS ME BY ANONYMOUS COWARD POSTS, calling me a "pedo" -> http://news.slashdot.org/comme... )

    He/She left in May 2012 after being exposed for ALL OF THAT, but came back with this NEW account of hers, & what started up again (I did *NOT* bother "shim" even once before that)?

    You guessed it (more harassment) -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...

    Where I challenged her for her usual CRAP she always runs from (to validly disprove my points on hosts, which she clearly, cannot):

    "I tore apart your stupid hosts file crapola." - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Tuesday August 19, 2014 @10:46AM (#47703255) Homepage

    Oh, really?

    Then why'd you run from disproving my points on them giving users added speed, security, reliability & more here too then -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...

    APK

    P.S.=> Barb/Tom (whatever, with multiple sockpuppets too http://slashdot.org/~BarbaraHu... = http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... + http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... ) you've destroyed yourself yet again...

    ...apk