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Does Accident Prevention Technology Help?

With all the new accident prevention technology coming out, are we distracting ourselves more than helping ourselves? The focus on distracted driving accidents has meant technology companies have been on overdrive, developing systems that allow drivers to continue to stay in touch while driving, with lower distraction levels.  The most common of these systems are voice-activated technologies that allow motorists to read text messages and respond, as well as respond to phone calls without having to use their hands.  But whether these technologies actually prevent accidents is a moot point.  California car accident attorneys have reason to believe that preventing distracted accidents is not as simple as using a voice-activated system.

A Boston-based company called AdelaVoice has created an application for Android phones, called StartTalking.  It’s free to download, and allows users to read and send text messages simply by talking. A motorist does not have to use his keypad.  The display can be turned off, and the person can continue to read and send text messages purely through voice activated <strong>accident prevention technology</strong>.  According to the makers of the app, this allows the person to keep his hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.  It significantly lowers the risks of being distracted. The company believes this application is much more advanced than other technologies, because it absolutely nullifies the use of hands to use the system.  Other systems require a user to at least dial a number or glance at the screen for a few seconds, in order to use it.

However, the fact is that the person continues to be distracted even while he’s using this hands-free technology.  You may be able to read any text message without having to use your hands to use the keypad, but you’re just as distracted because of the content of the message you’re reading.  You may also be able to respond to text messages without having to use the keypad, but your attention is focused on the actual text exchange that is going on between you and the other person. Little wonder then that highway safety experts insist that these voice activation technologies do precious little to decrease accident risks.

The growing use of smart phones has meant even more distracted driving accident risks for users.  No more is it merely enough to reply to text messages.  You’re now expected to update your Facebook status frequently, and let your Twitter followers know what you’re up to in 140 characters or less.  Facebook and Twitter applications for smart phones means that a sizable number of social media users stay in touch with their friends on these sites via their phones.  In fact, the popularity of smart phones has amplified distracted driving accident risks, and California car accident attorneys believe that federal safety agencies have not yet truly recognized and addressed the distracted driving problems arising from the use of social media sites through smart phones.

Ultimately, motorists must remember that no Facebook status update or Twitter post is important enough to risk losing your life.

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