Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said at a press conference yesterday that the Feds will “examine voice commands for hands-free functions” and may draft guidelines for use of GPS devices, cellphones and iPod-type portables in cars.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, said it is researching whether hands- free systems distract drivers and if so, how that distraction level compares to handheld devices, reported Bloomberg.
“Americans have gotten into very dangerous behavior with their cell phones and their texting devices to think they can use them behind the wheel of a car,” he said.
The Transportation Department has already issued voluntary guidelines for car makers regarding built-in infotainment and navigation systems. In February it said no task for drivers should take longer than two seconds and that cars must be placed in park before drivers can enter navigation commands or use sites like Facebook and Twitter. The guidelines are non-binding.
The news followed Verizon Wireless’ announcement that it will join with leading car makers to offer 4G in cars.
“We want to make sure they understand, and that’s why we put out the voluntary guidelines that we did, that the ability to download Facebook, the ability to access information while you’re driving the car is not exactly a safe way to drive,” LaHood said.
Source: Bloomberg
“The proposed voluntary guidelines would apply to communications, entertainment, information-gathering and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safely operate the vehicle,” the department said.