Feds Beginning To Clamp Down On Dashboard Distractions

[landtuna]

I could see this coming after my personal experiences with two modern cars with enhanced audio and nav dashboard systems. I keep catching myself becoming distracted while doing even simple things like changing radio stations - something that in older models did not require eyes off the road. Nav systems are even worse. I'm going to guess that Internet-based audio/video will be summarily squashed before it becomes yet another distraction.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/fed-guidelines-carmakers-must-step-stop-distracted-driving-6C9579267

Perhaps now the automakers will get back to selling cars based on their mechanical merits instead of their dashboard technology.

 

[PirateJohnny]

That's been my complaint with new aftermarket in-dash radios. Too many buttons and many require a menu to tell what you are selecting. You can't feel the button you're looking for, like the old car radios from the 60s with a volume knob, a tuning knob and five pushbuttons.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Perhaps now the automakers will get back to selling cars based on their mechanical merits instead of their dashboard technology.

I went shopping for a new car three years ago. Everywhere I went, the salespeople wanted to sit me down in the drivers seat of a car in the showroom and demonstrate for me the radio and the navigation system. Yes, menu driven and all the distractive stuff.

I finally found a sales person who understood me and what I was looking for. He found me a car at the dealership they had been using as a loaner for their customers to drive while their luxury car was being fixed. This car DID NOT have the navigation system. It DID NOT have the space age radio. And it was the era when because of the economic disruption in this country the dealers were being covered up with 3 year old luxury lease cars coming back in, and in some cases people were not replacing that car. The lease returns had all the goodies for people who wanted nav systems, etc. I got the best car I've ever owned for less money than the non-luxury brand of this manufacturer was going to cost me.

And I can tune my radio and never take my eyes off the road.

When I'm on the road, Life is Good!

And when I'm not on the road.... well, sitting here butting heads in the forum with some of the best thinkers in the world and some of the worst thinkers in the world is not all that bad. ;D

 

[radiophiler]

On a related note, a new study shows voice-to-text apps provide just as much distraction to the driver as texting manually: http://tti.tamu.edu/2013/04/23/voic...as-with-manual-texting-reaction-times-double/

15 months ago, I bought my first car with a Nav system in it and a push button screen (Subaru). I have mixed feelings about it. I find the touch screen overly complicated and want more hard touch buttons (I see some new models like Toyota are making it a combination ... some touch screen, some hard buttons).
Subaru doesn't let you do certain things while the car is in motion. Want to scroll the entire title of the song playing? Can't do it while you're moving. I think that's a good thing, and they did it even before NHTSA suggested it.
One advancement I like: The steering wheel radio controls. Helps me keep my eyes on the road.
But overall, I do fear these audio/Nav systems are becoming too much of a temptation to too many drivers to take their eyes off the road. Internet in cars will only make it worse.

 

[OHIODEAL]

I just purchased a new 2013 Toyota Camry SE with BT/nav system.It is my first system ever.I still cannot figure out how to use some of the features.However,most of the BT functions are not active,while the vehicle is in motion.In fact,I only use the SAT/FM/AM options,while in motion.I tried to play with the nav system,while in motion.I just can't do it!I have to keep both eyes on the road.I used to text,while in motion,until it was outlawed last year.With my luck,I might get stopped by the police and get a $350 fine.It is not worth it!