The dashboards of passenger vehicles are quickly becoming a cross between a comprehensive entertainment system, wireless communication center and portable arcade.  Car manufacturers are constantly striving to provide vehicles with more appealing features including improved safety features like crash avoidance systems and improved air bag protection, but these features often conflict with new entertainment features.  Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of Mississippi motor vehicle collisions.  As car manufacturers increasingly turn car dashboards into home entertainment centers that can be used for keeping in touch on social media sites, searching the web, watching videos and reading e-books, the problem continues to grow.

However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced new guidelines designed to reduce the risk of distracted driving collisions caused by dashboard entertainment technology.  The NHTSA is requesting that automakers curb the practice of providing electronic gadgets that promote distracted driving.  Although compliance is voluntary, the NHTSA has asked vehicle makers to design distracting technology so that it is automatically disabled when the vehicle is moving.

The proposal does not apply to all electronic technology equally.  Certain types of technology like collision warning systems and GPS devices are partially exempt from the guideline.  While the NHTSA is not requesting that these devices be disabled when the vehicle is moving, they are asking that the devices be designed so there is no need for drivers to adjust them while driving.

Unfortunately, this proposal is voluntary, which means that manufacturers may choose to ignore the guideline because consumers may be turned off by the devices being disabled when the vehicle is moving.  If some motor vehicle manufacturers decide that they wish to make the devices usable during driving, it may place pressure on other car makers to follow suit so that their vehicles offer the same technological entertainment advantages.

Independent studies have shown that distracted driving is comparable to drunk driving and drowsy driving in terms of the likelihood of Mississippi car accidents.  It is inconceivable that automakers would consider installing mini-bars in the front seat of passenger vehicles so one would assume that it is also a bad idea to put a DVD player or device for surfing the Internet in the dashboard of a vehicle.  Driving distractions that cause Mississippi motor vehicle accidents can take many forms, including watching videos, web surfing, reading, eating, using a cell phone and more.  It is always dangerous to multi-task while driving a motor vehicle so we can only hope that automakers comply with the suggestions of the NHTSA.

The experienced Mississippi motor vehicle accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to Mississippi auto accident victims for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.