Pseudo Science Conclusion based on True Science is not science.
There are two false conclusions here that are based on real science
1-While distraction due to cell phone is real; the true measure of the problem is "Does the amount of distraction leads to accident?” Distraction is inevitable while we are "awake", but still distraction does not lead to ACCIDENTS unless it is in excess of the "Situation Capability".

The problem with this experiement is that it does not treat the entire Connected Driving Experience as one system.

THE TRUE DATA FROM THE FIELD shows that
1- 43% of accidents occur when the phone rings in and drivers try to answer. (NO CONVERSTATION YET).
2- 23% of accidents occur when a driver tries to dial a number or worst yet, texting. (NO CONVERSATION YET).
3- The remainder caused by multiple reasons including conversation.
This data was confirmed more then once by studies in Japan and referenced by many U.S. scientists as well as NHTSA. (See http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-13/ driver-distraction/Topics013010816.htm#A816 .)


2-The other false conclusion here is that "Hands Free is not safer". The two problems are different and independent of each others. Having a hand held device (Especially one that is used for listening to like a phone), will multiply the risks of accident. Our research of Hand Held vs. Hand Free shows the followings as contributors to accidents:


1. Hand held devices require the driver to look away, move or reach in order use them.
2. Hand held require the driver to maintain an uncomfortable position or move to support their arms using the parts of the car, whether it is leaning on the window or an armrest. This movement changes the driver’s viewing ability on the road by:

a- Increasing the side/rear blind spot from the cell phone side (Cell phone companies recommend that the phone be held parallel to the ground for better reception, thus it becomes obtrusive on the side /peripheral vision field
b- Nullifying adjustments made to the rear and side view mirrors, increasing driver disconnect from the traffic.
c- Changes the forward looking perspective of the driver and creates a front blind spot
3. Holding the phone in one hand while attempting to steer with the other hand creates a conflict in the "motor feed back" of both arms, resulting in:
a- Poor communication with other drivers (no turn signals)
b- No steering control as cell phone users find it necessary to respond to a physical need, e.g. scratching or even taking a puff from cigarette, while talking on the phone. Our observation shows that the steering wheel is always left unattended while the phone stays held against the ear, (Hands Free Steering).
c- The Hesitation / Delay in responding to emergencies with correct maneuver since the driver has to decide weather to stop a conversation and steer with both hands or to try to make it with one hand steering.
d- No activation of essential equipment in a timely manner (horn, lights, windshield wipers)


Conclusion:
The legislative bodies can do their job and ban this and that, while the scientist measure this and that, but to what end? The Auto, Telecom and Insurance companies have shirked their responsibilities because their business model does not allow them such flexibility. The result is that existing automotive and telecom business models continue to clash on the road and Insurance business model stay profitable by passing the cost of the added risk to the general population.

This is where innovative thinking can come in to solve the problem by re-engineering our life behind the wheel while including teenagers as well as elderly into the solution.

This Re-engineering should create order in the vehicle and give priority to driving tasks over other activities, but still enable other activities while helping keep/or even assuring Eyes on the Road and Hands on the Wheel. Such engineering should be based on real world data.

We have developed, proved and globally patented a system that balances the entire driving experience with emphasis on safety, but still allowing drivers to use communication technologies while driving. Our system has the following key features:

1- Hands are monitored to be on the steering wheel, this enables configuration to enable or disable devices when hands status is not compliant with safety.

2- The driver controls all accessories, including cell phones from “thumb gesture” on the steering wheel. (Yes, texting is possible if the laws allow it)

3- Incoming communications are silenced when Drivers are passing, merging, changing lanes, turn signal engaged, etc, (So as not to surprise the driver).

4- Any information, whether from a caller ID or navigation direction is given verbally to the driver, so there's no need to look at a screen.

5- System is calibrated to driver’s skills and experience so a teen aged driver is given certain allowances and elderly drivers are provided more assistant.

6- System is geographically aware based on Navigation data of curves, lights, stop signs and other legal boundaries and can warn driver’s to slow down or modify behavior when distracted

7- The system can fits into a cell phone, and connects to the car network “CAN” physically or wirelessly and communicates with the steering thumb sensor in the same manner.

8- The system also detects signs of DUI from the driver handling the steering wheel, heart, sweat, temp, gripping strength and steering corrections, and then reports the driver to police, activate the emergency lights and limit speed of the vehicle.

We need to stay connected to stay competitive, but we need to do it safely. What we need is to educate our legislative bodies to require a device like ours on every vehicle. Automotive and Telecom companies have been toying with speech recognitions for over two decades now, but the automotive environment is too harsh to allow a desktop environment to succeed.

88% of people that see our demo say they’ll buy such a device while 87% think of it as the safest thing as compared to what’s out there. Please contact us on More ... " rel="nofollow">More ... .

Thank you: Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, president
Applikompt, Applied Computer Technologies, Inc.
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