Department of Transportation Proposes Their Distracted Driving Guidlines For Automakers

William Maley
Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com
February 17, 2012

Distracted Driving is a topic that’s on everybody's minds, and with good reason. Newer vehicles are packed with more technology; ranging from touchscreen infotainment systems options to voice-controlled applications to smartphone integration.

It comes as no surprise that the U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, the man who is leading the Distracted Driving cause has announced a new set of proposed guidelines for automakers to limit the use of in-car tech solutions that are "not directly relevant to safely operating the vehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver's eyes or hands for more than a very limited duration while driving."

“Distracted driving is a dangerous and deadly habit on America’s roadways—that’s why I’ve made it a priority to encourage people to stay focused behind the wheel. These guidelines are a major step forward in identifying real solutions to tackle the issue of distracted driving for drivers of all ages.” LaHood said in a statement.

Phase 1 of the three-phase process of recommendations would include:    

• Reducing the time it takes to operate devices
• Limit operation of devices to one hand only
• Limit the time eyes spend away from the road to two seconds or less
• Limit unnecessary visual information from the driver’s view
• Limit the number of inputs needed to operate devices

The recommendations would also block devices such as navigation units from having addresses put into them while the car is moving, as well as limit the operation of:

• Text messaging
• Internet browsing
• Social media use
• 10-digit phone dialing
• Display more than 30 characters of text unrelated to driving

NHTSA will hold public hearings on the guidelines in March at Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C.

Press Release is on Page 2