Smartphone Makers Need To Put An End To Distracted Driving

I’m cruising down the road at 45 mph when – ka-ching! – the sound of a cash register blares out from my iPhone. It’s one of now several deal-finding apps I have installed that alert me to nearby sales at local stores. I love the functionality they provide, but I’m not thrilled with the timing. The phone buzzes some more as the alerts roll in as I coast past the mall – it’s set back from the road, and I’m passing it, not driving to it. Why is my phone bothering me with alerts when I’m just trying to focus on the traffic?

Everyone talks about the dangers of texting and driving, and our Pavlovian need to respond to incoming messages while behind the wheel. But scare campaigns focused on changing user behavior can only go so far – it’s time for some OS-level intervention.

I’m not ignoring the fact there are today dozens of third-party applications that can either disable texting, alert to and monitor the number of times someone is texting at the wheel, or help you avoid texting through voice features or narration. But they are not full solutions, especially on iOS which limits apps’ ability to control OS features. And they only deal with on one of many problems with behind-the-wheel use of smartphones: texting.

A real solution would also eliminate all the other many distractions that smartphones bring, including the noise of apps, constantly clamoring for users’ attention.

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