New Cell Phone Blocking Technology May Save Lives in Pennsylvania

December 18, 2012

According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 416,000 people in the United States were injured and another 3,092 killed in motor vehicle accidents involving a distracted driver in 2010, the last year for which numbers are available. Of all car accidents reported in 2010, approximately 18 percent involved driver distraction.

Though driver distraction can take many different forms, texting while driving presents a unique danger because it requires a driver's visual, manual, and cognitive attention. What is worse, the popularity of texting in the United States is expected to increase over the next few years, which is likely to lead to even more distraction-related car accidents.

New Technology Aims to Address Texting While Driving

Because texting while driving poses such a serious threat on the road, researchers have begun developing technologies to prevent the practice. A team in India has recently announced the invention of a new system that would prevent drivers from using their cell phones while behind the wheel. Specifically, the new system can determine whether a driver is using his phone while his vehicle is in motion and block the phone signal using a low-range jamming mechanism. According to the inventors, the mechanism is sensitive enough to allow passengers in the same vehicle to use their phones without problems.

An additional advantage of this kind of system is that it could be used to record and possibly report driver cell phone use. For example, police might be able to receive a message containing a car's location and license plate number whenever someone uses his cell phone while driving. Alternatively, parents may be able to use the system to monitor whether their children have been texting behind the wheel. In addition, the system may allow trucking companies to ensure that their drivers are not using their cell phones while driving.

Although questions remain about whether this sort of jamming system can be used practically and on a large scale, experts agree that the technology has promise.

A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident with a distracted driver, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For more information, contact an attorney today.

Article provided by Dolan & Mayerson, PC
Visit us at http://www.mylocallawyers.com