Now They’re Banning Hands-Free Cell Phone Usage? Wild
I read this little article from the NY Times on Slashdot this morning about how the US DOT is interested in cracking down on the "epidemic" of distracted driving that is cell phone usage in cars:
“It’s time for drivers to act responsibly, put their hands on the wheel and focus on the road,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who last year called distracted driving an “epidemic.”
Interesting. While I couldn't find the quote in the NY Times piece that they were going to be cracking down on even the use of hands-free headsets, this little quote makes that seem pretty likely:
Studies have shown that drivers talking on a cellphone face four times the crash risk of someone not talking on a cellphone, and that the risks at least double when a motorist is texting.
Pretty wild stuff. What's needed is something that allows cell phone conversations and keeps people safe. That's a seriously winning combination of technology and someone will make a bundle on it.