Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established new guidelines encouraging auto manufacturers to limit distraction caused by the electronic devices built into vehicles. The guidelines, which are voluntary, make specific recommendations for dashboard electronics designed to limit the amount of time drivers must take their eyes off the road to use the device. If manufacturers follow the criteria, drivers should only take two seconds at a time to perform a task (twelve seconds total), reducing the risk of an auto accident.
The guidelines also encourage manufacturers to disable multiple options unless the car is in park, including:
- Manual texting
- Internet browsing
- Video conferencing / FaceTime
- Display of text messages, web pages, and social media content
The secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation stated: “These guidelines recognize that today’s drivers appreciate technology, while providing automakers with a way to balance the innovation consumers want with the safety we all need.” The guidelines and research are part of a comprehensive plan at the federal, state, and local levels to address distracted driving.
If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident because of a distracted driver, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area today using the Personal Injury Lawyer Directory.
