The Fed proposed Thursday that auto makers produce connected car radios that require the car is in park before drivers may look up an address on a navigation system, browse the Internet or dial a phone number.
An exception is voice activated use of any of the above functions, which would not require the car be in park.
A second set of guidelines on aftermarket car products will follow, said the Department of Transportation.
The edict is the first-ever “federally proposed guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices,” said the agency.
These are voluntary guidelines, but the agency expects that auto makers will fully comply, and in fact, many car makers already follow the guidelines.
The aftermarket is not excluded from the DOT’s radar. A second phase of guidelines will affect aftermarket products such as portable navigation systems as well as “smart phones, electronic tablets and pads, and other mobile communications devices,” said the DOT.
A third set of guidelines may address voice-activated controls to further minimize distraction in factory-installed, aftermarket, and portable devices, said the agency.
As for phase one of the guidelines for auto makers, public comments are invited over the next 60 days and public hearings will be held in March in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C
The phase one guidelines apply specifically to any infotainment/navigation functions “that are not required to safely operate the vehicle.”
“We recognize that vehicle manufacturers want to build vehicles that include the tools and conveniences expected by today’s American drivers,” said David Strickland, Administrator for NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the arm of the DOT responsible for the guidelines. “The guidelines we’re proposing would offer real-world guidance to automakers to help them develop electronic devices that provide features consumers want-without disrupting a driver’s attention or sacrificing safety.”
He also noted that data shows that “the vast majority of crashes occur because of dangerous behavior, including driving drunk, driving while distracted, and driving too fast.”
You can view the full guidelines and DOT press release here.
Source: DOT via The Wall Street Journal
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Is this really a problem big enough to need a Federal solution?? I guess the US Government has the budget deficit, the lagging economy, its poor long-term outlook, energy issues, the national debt, the WHOLE Middle East situation, illegal immigration, political corruption, the pending economic collapse of the Euro, international terrorism, drug smuggling, money laundering, the trade deficit, the lack of a Cubs World Series, etc, ALL SOLVED!. So now they can address this.
What about the passenger in the vehicle? Would this prevent them from operating the device?? Not a good idea.
A bigger problem is drivers operating and texting on their phones.
Umm, in my experience as an expeditor, most Factory Navigation systems ALREADY have these lockouts, and force you to park the car and/or put the parking brake on.
Why do you think we have NAV unlocks from PAC, Coastal, and NAV-TV? Mostly to unlock the Nav to enter addresses, browse Sirius/XM categories, etc. and of course UNLOCK that pesky DVD video lockout on the front screen!
Is it illegal to have these unlock devices? NO. It may be illegal in your state to USE them while the vehicle is in motion, but that is at the owner’s discretion, as these unlock units require you to activate AND answer questions on the screen each time you start your vehicle.
It’s similar to owning a gun. You can legally own a gun, but the question and legality of using it is where you can get into trouble.
It should also be noted that data shows that “the vast majority of shootings occur because of dangerous behavior, including shooting drunk, shooting while distracted, and shooting too fast.”
the customers want to enter a nav destination while driving-what are we to do?
you can research driver distraction at the vtti distracted driver study. there are not that many distracted driver accidents-marginal improvement at best.
gw
This is the first step in controlling all electronic devices (so called safety). Any start up US maker will not have a chance. A few years of regulations will make it so difficult to make infotament systems/ car tech in the US that you might as well not make any. I guess DOT just wants us to buy them all from China. More regulation means less US Jobs and more business obstacles/clutter. What about passengers that assist in POI stops while I’m driving? I guess they don’t matter? Because all cars are one seater’s! Right?. I have an idea, DOT, why don’t you make it so there are no more cars, just busses and public transportation. OH, and we cant go online while in the bus. That would be dangerous to the administration, OH and while you are at it why don’t you regulate the Internet just in case, (forgot you are already doing that) What happened to our Free USA that I love. Why are we constantly told what to do and how to do it!
I agree maybe they should worry more about unempoyment and the housing industry. Also DOT should concentrate on fixing the roads!!!
The fed needs to get the f out of our lives and worry about other things