New safety tech requires drivers to put away phones
A new technological innovation may help aid companies in their effort to prevent employees from engaging in distracted driving practices in company vehicles. A docking device manufactured by Dock-N-Lock Limited Liability Corporation, requires drivers to dock their cellphones before starting their vehicle. The device, which can be installed in either a commercial vehicle or private passenger vehicle, prevents the vehicle from being started until the phone has been docked in its designated position, a secure locker-like storage area. Once the phone has been secured inside this device, driving while texting is extremely difficult. The device, manufactured in cooperation with military electronics manufacturer Mobile Rugged Technologies, is designed to withstand heavy wear and tear. The device allows drivers to use the phone in conjunction with hands-free devices such as Blutooth transmitters, but only if allowed by the safety dock’s original owner and installer. The use of hands-free devices cannot be approved by the driver unless previously authorized. Traffic accident statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that approximately 600,000 of the vehicle collisions that occurred in 2011, including 3,000 traffic fatalities were linked to distracted driving practices.
As a car accident attorney in Oakland, I hope that technological innovations will succeed in reducing the number of traffic collisions that occur each year. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash, please consider contacting an Oakland personal injury lawyer.
