Saying passengers cannot use their phones is stupid is just stupid.
What did people do before texting was invented?
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Apple Sued for Choosing Not to 'Lock-Out' iPhones Behind the Wheel to Prevent Texting and Driving
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Saying passengers cannot use their phones is stupid is just stupid.
What did people do before texting was invented?
California resident Julio Ceja is seeking a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of placing profit before consumer safety by choosing not to implement a lock-out mechanism that would disable an iPhone's functionality when being used behind the wheel by an engaged driver.
Ceja demands that Apple halt the sale of all iPhones in California until a lock-out mechanism is implemented. He also demands that Apple release a software update that adds a lock-out mechanism to all iPhones already in the hands of consumers. He is not seeking further damages beyond legal fees and costs.
The complaint, filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, asserts that Apple's willful decision not to implement a lock-out mechanism on iPhones, chiefly to prevent texting and driving, constitutes "unfair business acts and practices" under California's Unfair Competition Law. A jury trial has been demanded.
Ceja asserts that Apple's "enormous market share" means that it is the "largest contributor" to texting and driving, while noting it is "downright shocking" that smartphone companies like Apple "do nothing to help shield the public at large from the dangers associated with the use of their phones."
"If texting and driving is a vessel of trouble, Apple is the captain of the ship," the complaint alleges.
The complaint claims that Apple recognized the dangers of texting and driving, and the important role it should play in stopping it, in its lock-out mechanism patent filed in 2008 and published in 2014.
The patent notes that "texting while driving has become a major concern of parents, law enforcement, and the general public," and further claims that "texting while driving has become so widespread it is doubtful that law enforcement will have any significant effect on stopping the practice."
The patent describes one method where a motion analyzer would detect whether a handheld device is in motion beyond a certain speed. A scenery analyzer would be able to determine whether the holder of the handheld device is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle. Otherwise, the device could be disabled.
In other embodiments, a vehicle or car key could transmit a signal that disables functionality of the handheld device while it is being operated. To a lesser degree, a vehicle could also transmit a signal that merely sends the device a notification stating that functionality should be disabled.
In November, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended smartphone makers develop a "Driver Mode", a simplified interface that would prevent access to non-driving-related tasks such as text messaging, social media, and viewing images and video unrelated to driving.
The complaint comes less than one month after a Texas family sued Apple for failing to enable said lock-out mechanisms to prevent distracted driving. On Christmas Eve in 2014, the family's vehicle was struck by a distracted driver who admitted to using FaceTime while driving. The accident caused one fatality.
Apple has faced other similar lawsuits in the past. In response to a Texas lawsuit filed in 2015, Apple indicated the responsibility is on the driver to avoid distractions in a statement provided to The New York Times:Ceja himself was rear ended by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. Whether this latest complaint has merit will be up to the court to decide. Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
Article Link: Apple Sued for Choosing Not to 'Lock-Out' iPhones Behind the Wheel to Prevent Texting and Driving
Likely because they've paid for a thousand dollar phone on a monthly plan of around $100 or more depending?
Reading books won't be allowed either. The passenger may disrupt the driver by the slight rustling noise when turning pages.
Texting has been around a lot longer than smartphones. And as I mentioned in another post, we had gameboys and other electronic devices. I guess we should put speed locks on those as well.
So, you get in the car, and as soon as you take off, you can't get or send messages? You can send them via Siri. I do that when I need to and keep my eyes on the road. Usually it's, "On the road. Be there in 10 minutes." How about if you're not the driver? Oh, you're moving, so you'd be locked out.
Exactly! I guess the millions of people that do work on trains and buses is all going to be banned. Looks like people are getting fired.
Better idea: do not let cars or trucks be used at all. After all, if you are driving and sneeze, cough, pass out, spill coffee and burn, you might get into a collision.
Or...
make all cars intelligent and let the cars drive themselves. Trust the computer.
Or...
make all cars intelligent and let the cars drive themselves. Trust the computer.
Yea, lock it out so that when there is an emergency on road and you are being chased by a criminal with an ax that has your name on it you cant even call 911 to help you. Complete BS don't text and drive don't fictive and drive don't shave and drive don't change socks when you drive. common sense.
apple should counter sue for wasting their damn time.
apple should counter sue for wasting their damn time.
No wonder Trump got elected. I'm suing mcdonald's because a fat person fell over on me
Correct.
if Apple can't make a phone that doesn't distract a driver, then they should punish the passengers as well.
Lots of entitled conservatives in this forum that feel the public roads are their personal entertainment hotspot or office.
This Julio Ceja guy is not very bright. If he really wanted to succeed in this Money Grab Lawsuit against Apple, he should have filed it in the East Texas District court…. where most of the technology cases are ruled against Apple.
OK, I'm not happy with Apple these days but this lawsuit is BS. Period.
It's a good idea to investigate, but a class action? No. Just. NO.
It's a good idea to investigate, but a class action? No. Just. NO.
Have you never been to America?
The people here are as dumb as it gets.
We unfortunately have to develop public policy with that cardinal rule in mind.
I saw a woman applying makeup on the highway the other day. Putting on eyeliner while using the rear view mirror.
I saw a man reading a book on his steering wheel.
What about other distractions? Im pretty sure a laptop also doesn't have a lockout feature in the car and I've seen that used too.
You can't prevent stupid and you certainly can't change that by removing responsibility from the person. Take responsibility or take the bus.
I saw a man reading a book on his steering wheel.
What about other distractions? Im pretty sure a laptop also doesn't have a lockout feature in the car and I've seen that used too.
You can't prevent stupid and you certainly can't change that by removing responsibility from the person. Take responsibility or take the bus.
Also remove radios and air conditioning controls because those are distracting too
As Apple being a market-leader in the mobile phone industry, I understand where this lawsuit is coming from from that perspective. However, this type of "lock-out" system would require full support from the entire automotive industry and backed by government regulation to support.
Besides, can I sue and win a case against Anheuser-Busch if someone should die as a result of drunk driver who drank their beer and chose to get behind the wheel?
This is kind of the same thing, right?
Besides, can I sue and win a case against Anheuser-Busch if someone should die as a result of drunk driver who drank their beer and chose to get behind the wheel?
This is kind of the same thing, right?
Your argument doesn't just apply to roads though. It applies to trains. You know, those big metal boxes on wheels that are not controlled by the paying passenger.
It's ok Julio. Calm down. The doctors will be with you soon.
That's cute. I'm assuming you don't take business calls while being a passenger, riding in a train, bus, etc? Well lucky you. Some people, like you know emergency responders, are on call 24/7. So you'd like to impede them from doing their jobs?
Why the hell is Apple required to police people? What about Samsung, LG, Motorola? I am not entitled, nor a conservative by any means, but you are going way too far. You also still keep ignoring passengers on trains and buses.
No, he has been serious. Look at all his posts. No one can every use a phone while a transportation vessel is moving.