Federal regulators, worried that motorists will use the growing connectivity of cars to surf the web, update their Facebook pages and generally do anything but drive, want automakers to engineer safeguards into infotainment systems to minimize the threat of distracted driving.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today the Department of Transportation's first-ever guidelines encouraging automakers to voluntarily minimize distractions by regulating how communications, entertainment and navigation systems can be used while driving.
The non-binding recommendations would effectively bar drivers from doing things like surfing the web or accessing social media sites from behind the wheel, disable manual texting and limit the ability to enter addresses into navigation systems while the car is in gear.
“Distracted driving is a dangerous and deadly habit on America’s roadways,” LaHood said in a statement. “These guidelines are a major step forward in identifying real solutions to tackle the issue of distracted driving for drivers of all ages.”
Such guidelines come as automakers rush to increase the connectivity of our cars. Factory-installed vehicle tech including connected systems like Ford Sync and Audi Connect will account for nearly $7 billion in sales this year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. About 15 percent of American households own a vehicle with connected communications, and analysts expect that figure to climb sharply in coming years.
LaHood has made curbing distracted driving a top priority. The 177-page guideline put forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (.pdf) provide "real-world guidance" intended to help automakers address the problem. In 2010, 3,092 people, or 9.4 percent of road fatalities, were killed in crashes related to driver distraction, according to NHTSA.
“We recognize that vehicle manufacturers want to build vehicles that include the tools and conveniences expected by today’s American drivers,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “The guidelines we’re proposing would offer real-world guidance to automakers to help them develop electronic devices that provide features consumers want -- without disrupting a driver’s attention or sacrificing safety.”
Although the NHTSA has a huge pulpit from which to preach, it cannot compel the auto industry to adopt its recommendations, which are strictly voluntary. Still, the guidelines were based at least in part upon a comprehensive set of "principles" (.pdf) developed by the Auto Alliance, the Society of Automotive Engineers and others.
"Keeping eyes on the road and hands on the wheel is clearly the priority," the alliance, which represents 12 major automakers, said in a statement. "Digital technology has created a connected culture in America that has forever changed our society. Consumers expect to have access to new technology, so integrating and adapting this technology to enable safe driving is the solution."
The way the feds see it, the proposals are but the first part of the solution. Phase 1, announced Thursday, contain guidelines for ensuring infotainment systems minimize the distraction posed by any feature or function not directly related to operating the vehicle. The guidelines would not apply to things like lane departure or forward-collision warning systems.
Recommendations specifically outlined in Phase 1 include:
- Reduce the complexity of devices and the time needed to perform various tasks
- Design devices so they require just one hand to operate.
- Design devices to they require "off-road glances" of no more than two seconds.
- Minimize visual information with the driver’s field of view.
- Limit the amount of manual inputs required for device operation.
The NHTSA already has called on states to ban the use of cellphones and other gadgets while driving, and the proposals effectively urge automakers to join the campaign. Automakers should disable texting, internet browsing, social media browsing, and manual telephone dialing whenever the vehicle is in gear, the guidelines state. Automakers also are asked to limit to 30 characters any text displays not specifically related to the safe operation of the vehicle.
The guidelines apply only to built-in hardware. Looking further ahead, the NHTSA is drafting "Phase II" proposed guidelines that could apply to anything you might bring into the car, such as a navi system, smartphone or tablet. A third phase of regulations could apply to voice-activated control of gadgets to further minimize distractions.
The recommendations released Thursday are subject to a 60-day public commenting period, after which the NHTSA would issue its final set of guidelines.
“We see the guidelines as a good first step,” Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association, said, according to the Detroit Free Press. “DOT is on the right path. We particularly like the guideline for disabling devices that text and surf the Internet, etc. Technology has created these problems but can also help solve them. Regardless, the safest behavior is to not use any of these electronic devices while driving.”
Photo: Audi showed off its Audi Connect infotainment system earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show. Jim Merithew/Wired.com
