Last year, the New York Times posted an interactive driving simulator online to show how distracted driving – particularly texting – negatively impacts your ability to drive. In the wake of Iowa’s new law against texting while driving, we thought our readers may be interested in a virtual example of why this new law is so important to follow.
Studies show that drivers overestimate their ability to multitask behind the wheel. The simulator game measures how your reaction time is affected by external distractions. To try the simulator, click here to see how you do.
Have you ever had a close call because of texting while driving? Leave a comment, and let us know how that impacted you.
Kudos to Ford Motor Company, which will make updates to its SYNC technology that promotes safer alternatives to texting while driving.
According to an article posted by @mashable via Twitter, new MyFord Touch-equipped cars will let drivers block incoming calls and texts with a “Do Not Disturb” button. The biggest addition, however, is support for a new protocol (MAP) that will allow SYNC to read aloud incoming text messages over Bluetooth.
The new version of SYNC — available on 2011 models with MyFord Touch — will also include a “Do Not Disturb” button that will give drivers the ability to block incoming texts and calls, but still make outgoing calls.
Starting this Thursday, July 1, a new law designed to cut down on driving distractions goes into effect. The law bans adults from reading, writing, and sending text messages while driving. It also bans drivers under the age of 18 from using any electronic communication device while driving, including talking on the a cell phone.
Violators will face a $30 fine, but that amount could increase if police determine that using a cell phone contributed to an accident that caused injuries. Iowa drivers are being given a chance to adjust to the new law, however. Law enforcement officers will only issue warnings for the first year.
For more perspective on Iowa’s new cell phone law, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier did a recent article on the issue. Or, to see where Iowa ranks in comparison to other states with similar cell phone laws, click here.
Do you think Iowa’s new cell phone law will make a difference? If not, why? Leave a comment, or weigh in on our latest poll:
In an effort to reduce rural highway center line crossover crashes, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has adopted a policy to include center line rumble strips on certain sections of two-lane highways. According to a recent news release, 18-inch wide grooves will be milled into the center of the road to alert inattentive drivers when their vehicles are about to cross into the opposite lane.
Three test projects for center line rumble strips have already been installed on U.S. 34 in Union County, U.S. 52 in Dubuque County and U.S. 61 in Des Moines County.
Everyone’s in a hurry these days. Places to go, people to see, right? But our often hurried lives can carry over to the way we drive – with a dangerous effect. We came across the following YouTube video, which depicts several minutes worth of traffic camera clips of some serious intersection crashes and close calls. We could go on and on about the bad decision-making made by drivers in this video, but we don’t have to. The video speaks for itself. Let’s prevent these types of situations from happening in the Cedar Valley.
Sobering to watch, isn’t it? That brings us to our latest TwtPoll: How do you respond when a traffic light turns yellow? Cast your vote, or leave a comment below. We love feedback!
It’s amazing what you can learn on Twitter. Drive Safe Cedar Valley often uses social media, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, to get the word out about the importance of safe driving practices. But recently, a Cedar Valley citizen and community leader that we follow on Twitter unknowingly taught us about something. A tweet on Monday, April 26, from Aaron Buzza, Executive Director of the WaterlooConvention and Visitors Bureau, caught our attention when it flashed across our Twitter feed. It was in reply to a Twitter contact to simply confirm that he received their text message. But what caught our eye about this seemingly typical tweet was how Mr. Buzza said he received that text message: via DriveSafe.ly.
So, what is DriveSafe.ly? According to the site, it’s a mobile application that reads text (SMS) messages and e-mails aloud in real time and automatically responds without drivers touching the mobile phone. The app can be downloaded onto a BlackBerry, iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile, and has received a lot of buzz as a safe solution to end manual texting while driving. The app has two options. One is free. The other comes with a fee.
As a proponent for safer driving habits, Drive Safe Cedar Valley applauds the app’s efforts to keep drivers’ hands on the wheel. But we’re curious. Have you tried DriveSafe.ly? Do you think it improves driving safety, or do you think it still qualifies as a potentially-dangerous driver distraction? It’s certainly worth a conversation. Leave a comment and let us know what you think about DriveSafe.ly.
According to the NHTSA, nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured.
Quite a sobering statistic, as the country marks the first ever national No Phone Zone Day today, a day created by talk show host Oprah Winfrey to promote driver safety. Governmental agencies and the media, including the Today Show, have joined in the effort.
Texting and cell phone use behind the wheel are two of the most dangerous driving habits. Drive Safe Cedar Valley is on a mission to get local drivers to put their cell phones down in order to save lives and prevent injuries. And we’re not alone. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a similar initiative. Read more about it here.
Here are some more sobering statistics about distracted driving, according to Distracted.gov:
Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. (Source: Carnegie Mellon)
The younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
Using a cell phone use while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (Source: University of Utah)
We want to know: do you text while driving? Leave a comment, or cast your vote in our latest poll.
One week from today – Friday, April 30th – will mark the first national No Phone Zone Day. Oprah Winfrey, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and other safe driving organizations and advocates have partnered to launch a new public service announcement campaign and declare April 30th a national day of awareness to end distracted driving. The initiative is designed to educate and activate Americans to end the deadly driving habits that kill nearly 6,000 Americans a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to a news release, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” will present a special live episode devoted to ending distracted driving. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will be one of the guests. “No Phone Zone Day” viewing rallies will also be held in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
So, Cedar Valley – celebrate safe driving and join in the effort to end distracted driving on Friday, April 30th – and beyond!
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Last year, the New York Times posted an interactive driving simulator online to show how distracted driving – particularly texting – negatively impacts your ability to drive. In the wake of Iowa’s new law against texting while driving, we thought our readers may be interested in a virtual example of why this new law is so important to follow.
