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Distracted Driving Laws Yet to Catch Up With Apple Watch
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Don't make me laugh. No one needs a license to operate a GPS device. I have a Garmin and it's been solid for years compared to a phone GPS. One thing I like about old school GPS receivers is that they never disconnect especially in the mountains compared to a phone that relies on the internet.
Secondly, a Garmin is easy to work with and easier on the eyes with the matte screen reducing sunlight glare compared to the glossy iPhone or any other smartphone.
So you're only defending something that's based on vanity from Apple's side. It has nothing to do with the old age on politicians. In fact, some are quite young and do get into traffic problems. . .like you. What you're doing is considered ageism.
Anytime Apple tries to create a product, they open a Pandora's Box that becomes a problem. Apple should have been smart enough to SEE that coming a mile away when Cook wanted the watch to " change lives " and reduce distractions.
Ooops! It hasn't done anything but cause more distractions with 3,000 some apps SLAPPED ON.
Analog Kid
macrumors G3
They'll probably catch up in June when lawmakers actually start receiving their watches...
In my personal experience, listening to spoken words that are not directed at you and don't require an answer by you, be it on the radio, a podcast or an audiobook fares somewhat better as I am more easily are able to tune out (I might write a post here while listening to a podcast but this essentially means I don't really listen anymore to the podcast).
It should be noted that in Ontario, there is an exception to the ban on using hand-held devices:
Despite subsections (1) and (2), a person may drive a motor vehicle on a highway while using a device described in those subsections in hands-free mode. 2009, c. 4, s. 2.
In a recent case, a driver who was convicted under this offence, argued on appeal that because the phone was between her right ear and shoulder, she was not "holding" the phone and therefore not guilty of the offence.
The court determined that "holding" is not restricted to one using her hands and that she was holding the phone using her shoulder and ear.
The court also didn't accept her argument that this was "hands-free" mode (i.e. since she wasn't using her hands) and insisted that the legislature intended the "hands-free" exception to mean the hands-free phone functions provided by the automakers and car companies, rather than using ones phone without hands.
Despite subsections (1) and (2), a person may drive a motor vehicle on a highway while using a device described in those subsections in hands-free mode. 2009, c. 4, s. 2.
In a recent case, a driver who was convicted under this offence, argued on appeal that because the phone was between her right ear and shoulder, she was not "holding" the phone and therefore not guilty of the offence.
The court determined that "holding" is not restricted to one using her hands and that she was holding the phone using her shoulder and ear.
The court also didn't accept her argument that this was "hands-free" mode (i.e. since she wasn't using her hands) and insisted that the legislature intended the "hands-free" exception to mean the hands-free phone functions provided by the automakers and car companies, rather than using ones phone without hands.
Analog Kid
macrumors G3
I had a friend in high school who used to drift right when he turned the volume up a left when he turned it down. One of those rub your belly, pat your head kind of problems I think...
Actually, soon there will be a ban on humans driving. We suck at it, many thousands of people die every year because of it. Let the humans go the way of the horse and get them off the public roads and onto the private race tracks where they belong.
The self driving cars will be here soon and they will be awesome.
rdlink
macrumors 68040
First they should address the issue of you guys driving on the wrong side of the road... 😛
Passing legislation for smartwatches would be kind of complicated. It wouldn't be that easy to tell if someone is using a regular watch or a smartwatch, and what if someone is just checking the time on their watch (of course they could look at the dashboard, but you know...habits). Compared to using a phone, it's not as easy to catch someone redhanded.
I actually think the touchscreen controls of modern cars are about the biggest setback in automotive safety in years.
When I bought a new car a couple years ago, I specifically sought out a model that had physical dials, knobs and buttons for controlling things like heating/cooling, music, etc. In short order I could reach down and make adjustments to these things without ever taking my eyes off the road. The car is a Volvo by the way. I was disappointed to see how many functions on new and upcoming Volvos are relegated to big iPad-like displays. This from a carmaker that at least at one time was known as the paragon of safety. You simply cannot use these screens without taking your eyes off your driving. Trendy, but really stupid.
When I bought a new car a couple years ago, I specifically sought out a model that had physical dials, knobs and buttons for controlling things like heating/cooling, music, etc. In short order I could reach down and make adjustments to these things without ever taking my eyes off the road. The car is a Volvo by the way. I was disappointed to see how many functions on new and upcoming Volvos are relegated to big iPad-like displays. This from a carmaker that at least at one time was known as the paragon of safety. You simply cannot use these screens without taking your eyes off your driving. Trendy, but really stupid.
Solomani
macrumors 601
I think everyone here is over-reacting. The "worst case scenario" is not even all that bad which is the Government will simply enact laws that force Apple and other companies to update their smart watches with something like a "Driving Mode", the closest analogy is a smartphone AirPlane Mode which disables electronic signals such as cellular services, etc.
In the case of watches, the Driving Mode might disable some of the more distracting alerts and such. But then that would be a huge debate right there. Who decides which alerts are "non-essential" (and could be silenced until a later time) and which ones are more important?
I agree.
I don't want to drive an iPad. My daily driver for decades has been a Cadillac. So disappointed in the Que system. Don't know what the next car will be. I do know knobs and physical controls will made a sale.
I don't want to hunt down the necessaries by moving from screen to screen. Who will watch the road?
And now i can look forward to getting hit by some fool who is playing with his watch. Oh, goody! A new type of distracted driver. The others were getting so repetitious.
Distracted driving
Isn't distracted driving illegal in most states anyway?
Doing anything behind the wheel not driving related probably should be.
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I LOVE new tech, but I'm in complete agreement with you here. Can't stand taking my eyes off the road to constantly re-adjust stuff (I'll always hit a wrong button somewhere).
Isn't distracted driving illegal in most states anyway?
Doing anything behind the wheel not driving related probably should be.
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I LOVE new tech, but I'm in complete agreement with you here. Can't stand taking my eyes off the road to constantly re-adjust stuff (I'll always hit a wrong button somewhere).
Nahaz
macrumors 6502
Stick your device in 'Car Mode" where Siri can tell you that you have an incoming call, do you wish to answer, Yes or No?
Incoming text can work the same way. Read text message, Yes or No?
Do you wish to reply? Yes or No?
Also the Apple watch is just a relay unit for your iPhone. Use the iPhone in the car as you normally would in handsfree mode.
Incoming text can work the same way. Read text message, Yes or No?
Do you wish to reply? Yes or No?
Also the Apple watch is just a relay unit for your iPhone. Use the iPhone in the car as you normally would in handsfree mode.
yadmonkey
macrumors 65816
Well said. I think there is a systemic problem in this country where lawmakers feel the need to try and account for every possible outcome, rather than create a simple law and allow the enforcement and judicial branches to honor the spirit of that law.
It robs the people of the right to grow and in a sense govern themselves and it stinks of the hubris of those who think they can account for every unintended consequence of every law. It takes common sense out of the equation entirely.
By the way, this is exactly why bath salts exist. They could create a simple law to outlaw methamphetamine and its chemical analogs, but instead we have to play catch up every time they slightly change the chemical. We don't need lawmakers for this - let a judge and jury decide if someone is gaming the drug laws.
Both parties' addiction to top-down government is destroying this nation. /rant
It's important to acknowledge those who ever so skillfully use a blow dryer while driving. The way they swerve and recover is an art form... 🙂
Glideslope
macrumors G3
So, you're saying,
"Yeah, keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel
Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel
Yeah, we're goin' to the Roadhouse
We're gonna have a real
good time?"
Jimmy Bubbles
macrumors 65816
How about testing with using "Hey Siri!" works like a charm while my phone is charging in the car.
koruki
macrumors 65816
bbeagle
macrumors 68040
Of course we can still eat and drink in our cars. If they tried banning that, McDonald's and all the fast food places would go crazy with lobbyists and lawyers. The drive thru industry is so profitable that it would never be banned
Daws001
macrumors 6502
I don't know about distracted driving but I was at the urinal doing my thing when a notification came in on my Apple Watch. I automatically lifted my arm to check, dropping the bottom of my shirt into the pee stream. I had pee on my shirt :/ Thankfully the work day was over in 10 mins.
Moral of the story: The Apple Watch can lead to distracted urinating and pee soaked clothes.
Moral of the story: The Apple Watch can lead to distracted urinating and pee soaked clothes.
And to some those distractions are no different than sending a text or looking at your phone in application. To others those are just as distracting as texting or looking at your phone.
Here is a novel idea, cite people for distracted driving when they are distracted, period. If you are yelling at your kids or looking at your phone. If you are driving fine while yelling at your kids or texting on the phone then there is no reason to cite people.
You either want the nanny state or don't.