FaceID while driving & accidents

[MEJHarrison]

How am I supposed to be navigated?

How are others supposed to arrive at their destinations safe and sound if their fellow drivers feel they're justified in breaking the law / playing with their phones?

Use Siri.
Get your route setup ahead of time.
If those aren't options, either pull off the road or use the same methods people have always used prior to GPS.

 

[apolloa]

I see the usual trouble with other road users on here, stupidity and selfishness that leads to deaths, a proven fact, proven everyday... and yet they continue...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

While driving car Face ID or password entry seems less safe than Touch ID. Face ID will distracts you while driving when you want to unlock the phone. Apple could've have integrated Touch ID along with Face ID & password entry. Or at least apple should allow to turn off the swipe up step after face ID is recognized by iphone.

Get ready for a bunch of "you shouldn't be using your phone when you're driving anyway."

Yep it’s thankfully illegal in most civilised countries to use your phone whilst driving in any case. People who choose to distract themselves behind the wheel putting themselves and others at risk are idiots of the highest order. If caught in the UK the minimum penalty is 6 points and a £250 fine, even if you are sat at traffic lights. The maximum for civilian drivers is a driving ban and £1000 fine. Campaigns are running currently to increase this as people still use phones behind the wheel with frightening frequency.

 

[Ralfi]

How am I supposed to be navigated?

The smugness of this post. You should learn how to use navigation Apps before getting behind the wheel. Fellow drivers are depending on you to know how to set & forget your journey beforehand...

 

[Olganech]

It is illegal to use your phone while driving in the UK.

 

[AZhappyjack]

It is illegal to use your phone while driving in the UK.

Beyond the legality, it's stupid and selfish.

 

[fischersd]

Hoping this is a thing of the past here in Canada shortly - Transport Canada made it mandatory that all vehicles produced in 2018 have backup cameras (so all vehicles should come with a receiver capable of Carplay/Android Auto) - eliminating the need for anyone so irresponsible from picking up their phones while driving.

 

[mikey2004]

When we were in orlando few months ago, we had an Uber driver just hold his phone in his hand the whole time while using the sat nav, needless to say he nearly crashed twice when switching lanes.

Youll pretty much lose you license in the UK now if caught with a mobile phone while driving.

 

[MEJHarrison]

In Oregon, we have a new law going into effect October 1. You're allowed a single touch (to start a route for example). Not allowed to have the phone (or ANY electronic device) in your hands for any reason. If you're under 18, no electronic devices, no exceptions, not even for navigation. The first offense is $260. The second offense is $435. If you get a third offense in 10 years, that's a minimum $2000 fine, it's counted as a misdemeanor and you could potentially face jail time. Fortunately this new law covers any use. Our previous laws only forbade texting and talking which is absurd.

Washington state recently passed an even stricter law. As I understand it, you can't even have food or drink while driving there.

 

[Ryan1524]

If you think about FaceID + Siri + Driving Mode, seems like Apple is making driving a whole lot safer.

 

[BarracksSi]

When we were in orlando few months ago, we had an Uber driver just hold his phone in his hand the whole time while using the sat nav, needless to say he nearly crashed twice when switching lanes.

Uber and Lyft drivers are worth their own thread.

I don’t know why cab drivers don’t seem as bad as Uber/Lyft drivers, either. While on my walking commutes in DC, whenever I saw a car make a stupid maneuver, it was an Uber driver. Maybe I just didn’t notice the full-time licensed cabs.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Get ready for a bunch of "you shouldn't be using your phone when you're driving anyway."

You shouldn't be using your phone when you're driving anyway.

And as of Sunday in my state, it will be illegal to interact with your phone by touch - hands-free only.

 

[sean000]

It is illegal to use your phone while driving in the UK.

It is now illegal here in Washington State. Previously texting was not legal while driving, but as of this past July the law prohibits virtually all use of handheld gadgets while driving.

The only acceptable use is to mount the smartphone to the dashboard to use for navigation. Minimal use of a finger is permitted to activate the device or an app. Hands-free use for things like making a phone call is also allowed. Using a cell phone or smartphone at a red light or stop sign is also prohibited. You have to pull off the roadway to a place where you can safely and legally remain stationary while you use your device. The fine for the first offense is $136 USD, and for the second offense it's $235.

As someone who uses a bicycle for much of my transportation, I am happy to see these this stricter law in place, but I fear there aren't enough officers to enforce them effectively.

Sean

 

[sean000]

In Oregon, we have a new law going into effect October 1. You're allowed a single touch (to start a route for example). Not allowed to have the phone (or ANY electronic device) in your hands for any reason. If you're under 18, no electronic devices, no exceptions, not even for navigation. The first offense is $260. The second offense is $435. If you get a third offense in 10 years, that's a minimum $2000 fine, it's counted as a misdemeanor and you could potentially face jail time. Fortunately this new law covers any use. Our previous laws only forbade texting and talking which is absurd.

Washington state recently passed an even stricter law. As I understand it, you can't even have food or drink while driving there.

The Washington law considers eating, drinking, grooming, and other non-digital distractions to be secondary offenses. You can't get pulled over for eating while driving, but if you get pulled over for any other reason the officer can fine you an additional $99 for the secondary offense.

The digital distractions are primary offenses, so you can get pulled over for holding a phone while driving. You won't get pulled over for wearing a smartwatch, because it's considered a hands-free device.

Sean

 

[apolloa]

In Oregon, we have a new law going into effect October 1. You're allowed a single touch (to start a route for example). Not allowed to have the phone (or ANY electronic device) in your hands for any reason. If you're under 18, no electronic devices, no exceptions, not even for navigation. The first offense is $260. The second offense is $435. If you get a third offense in 10 years, that's a minimum $2000 fine, it's counted as a misdemeanor and you could potentially face jail time. Fortunately this new law covers any use. Our previous laws only forbade texting and talking which is absurd.

Washington state recently passed an even stricter law. As I understand it, you can't even have food or drink while driving there.

Same in the UK, you can’t drink or eat when driving and that again includes when stationary at traffic lights etc.. no doubt the result of just as many idiots crashing whilst they were drinking or eating and driving.

 

[Septembersrain]

Get ready for a bunch of "you shouldn't be using your phone when you're driving anyway."

You shouldn't but reality is that people will. We've already got a cellphone ban in our whole county. I'm pretty sure Face ID will not help the issues we're already facing.

 

[Ntombi]

Uber and Lyft drivers are worth their own thread.

I don’t know why cab drivers don’t seem as bad as Uber/Lyft drivers, either. While on my walking commutes in DC, whenever I saw a car make a stupid maneuver, it was an Uber driver. Maybe I just didn’t notice the full-time licensed cabs.

That’s because taxi drivers have to pass a special test to be licensed as such. That includes knowing the city (without help) and the safety laws. Uber/Lyft drivers are just regular drivers.

I’m not claiming all taxi drivers are better/safer, but taxi commissions have a higher bar.

 

[44267547]

You shouldn't but reality is that people will. We've already got a cellphone ban in our whole county. I'm pretty sure Face ID will not help the issues we're already facing.

You're correct. Face ID will not be in any assistance to drivers on the roadway and those who choose to look down at the phone to unlock it or hold it up to their face. But that's part of where it comes down to liability for the individual choosing to use the phone while driving. They simply choose to ignore laws and others around them on the roadway.

 

[sean000]

You're correct. Face ID will not be in any assistance to drivers on the roadway and those who choose to look down at the phone to unlock it or hold it up to their face. But that's part of where it comes down to liability for the individual choosing to use the phone while driving. They simply choose to ignore laws and others around them on the roadway.

Here in Washington State you can legally mount a smartphone on your dashboard to use for navigation with minimal use of a finger to unlock or navigate apps. Holding the smartphone while you are driving is prohibited. Will FaceID work by just glancing at the phone on the dashboard (as you might glance at your console to adjust air temperature or music settings) and swiping to get to your home screen or to an app? We will have to wait and see how well it works. With TouchID you can unlock it by feel, but at some point you're going to have to look at the device if you are using it for navigation. In the end it's still safer to set your navigation before you start driving, and/or use voice activation with Siri.

Sean

 

[cj 2.0]

Here in Washington State you can legally mount a smartphone on your dashboard to use for navigation with minimal use of a finger to unlock or navigate apps. Holding the smartphone while you are driving is prohibited. Will FaceID work by just glancing at the phone on the dashboard (as you might glance at your console to adjust air temperature or music settings) and swiping to get to your home screen or to an app? We will have to wait and see how well it works. With TouchID you can unlock it by feel, but at some point you're going to have to look at the device if you are using it for navigation. In the end it's still safer to set your navigation before you start driving, and/or use voice activation with Siri.

Sean

Yeah, here's my thing. I have my phone in the cup holder, upside down so it can be plugged in. I use waze to get everywhere and the phone just sits there facing me to glance at when the car stops. The address is set before I go and the phone in general doesn't get touched.

Occasionally the screen turns off because the side button gets hit. Right now it is easy to fix without even looking at it - just move my finger from the centre console to the top of the phone. No more dangerous than pressing a radio button (except the radio buttons actually need to be looked at to know which pre-set is being pressed).

The no-look, no-touch unlock that works so well now would be impossible with the new phone - if the screen ever turns off for whatever reason, I'm stuck with no map.

IMO, combine this with the inability to unlock your phone discretely and easily while in meetings or paying attention to something else at the office, and the lack of touch ID is a complete deal breaker. It is also incredibly gimmicky and pretty cheesy in general.

I usually pay immediately for cool new technology, but see no reason at all to make this jump given the added inconveniences. And there is no real reason to upgrade to the 8 instead, so for the first generation in a very long time, I'm just going to take a pass.

 

[sean000]

Yeah, here's my thing. I have my phone in the cup holder, upside down so it can be plugged in. I use waze to get everywhere and the phone just sits there facing me to glance at when the car stops. The address is set before I go and the phone in general doesn't get touched.

Occasionally the screen turns off because the side button gets hit. Right now it is easy to fix without even looking at it - just move my finger from the centre console to the top of the phone. No more dangerous than pressing a radio button (except the radio buttons actually need to be looked at to know which pre-set is being pressed).

The no-look, no-touch unlock that works so well now would be impossible with the new phone - if the screen ever turns off for whatever reason, I'm stuck with no map.

IMO, combine this with the inability to unlock your phone discretely and easily while in meetings or paying attention to something else at the office, and the lack of touch ID is a complete deal breaker. It is also incredibly gimmicky and pretty cheesy in general.

I usually pay immediately for cool new technology, but see no reason at all to make this jump given the added inconveniences. And there is no real reason to upgrade to the 8 instead, so for the first generation in a very long time, I'm just going to take a pass.

If the laws where you live still allow you to keep your iPhone in a cupholder, I probably wouldn't expect that to last. These distracted driving laws are being implemented in more states and countries every year. In many places you can get fined for having a smartphone loose anywhere in the front seat. It has to be mounted to the dash or in a pocket. Where I live we are not even allowed to use smartphones while stopped at a red light or stop sign. It must be dashboard mounted and either voice activated or activated with the minimal use of a finger.

I totally get the meeting thing, but as someone who attends a lot of meetings (and chairs my share of them as well): You're not fooling anyone
It's almost worse when people try to be sly about it, because it makes it look like they think they are getting away with something that is quite obvious. Sure TouchID might allow you to unlock your iPhone without anyone noticing, but they will notice that you are constantly looking or glancing down under the table. In most of the meetings I attend, people take meeting notes or bring up reference materials on a variety of devices: From smartphone to laptop. I take an iPad with me to meetings and I use it throughout most meetings to call up information, the meeting agenda, or to take notes with. If I'm in a meeting that is a waste of my time (let's face it... sometimes they are), I will check my work email or get something else work related done. Everyone can see my iPad, but they can't see the display or what I am working on. Using a device in a meeting is generally accepted where I work, but I know that's not the case everywhere.

Of course at the end of the day people are going to do what they are going to do, and a switch from TouchID to FaceID may impact that. At this point we are still making assumptions about how FaceID will work, and how well FaceID will work. Even basing arguments on what we have observed in demonstrations is assuming that Apple has not been refining the technology right up until the last minute.

This thread, and I'm sure many others, will be much more productive once the iPhone X is in the hands of more people.

 

[THFourteen]

That needs to happen in the US. Every day on my drive to work I encounter multiple people on the expressway staring at their phones while they drive along at 70 MPH.

Selfish people who wont learn their lesson until they kill someone's dad, mother, daughter, son, grandson.

 

[JoeyD74]

Selfish people who wont learn their lesson until they kill someone's dad, mother, daughter, son, grandson.

More laws don't equal safer drivers. Drinking and driving is and has been illegal forever yet every year over 10,000 die from it.
Look at the people upset over the face ID here, they somehow think unlocking the phone while driving with their finger is OK and then using the phone vs just looking at the phone and using it. Whats the difference?

 

[TonyC28]

More laws don't equal safer drivers. Drinking and driving is and has been illegal forever yet every year over 10,000 die from it.
Look at the people upset over the face ID here, they somehow think unlocking the phone while driving with their finger is OK and then using the phone vs just looking at the phone and using it. Whats the difference?

More laws certainly aren’t the answer. More enforcement of existing laws might be though. I live in Illinois where they conduct DUI roadblocks and seatbelt safety checks somewhat frequently. I’d like to see them step up enforcement of hands-free laws. I think someone not wearing their seatbelt ranks pretty low on the public safety list but idiot drivers paying no attention to the road is at the top. It may not be as exciting for the cops or financially advantageous for the municipalities but this is a serious problem.

 

[sean000]

More laws don't equal safer drivers. Drinking and driving is and has been illegal forever yet every year over 10,000 die from it.
Look at the people upset over the face ID here, they somehow think unlocking the phone while driving with their finger is OK and then using the phone vs just looking at the phone and using it. Whats the difference?

Without laws the death toll from driving under the influence would be even higher. Laws have an impact on what is socially acceptable, especially when combined with a campaign to educate people on the dangers of driving while distracted (or while under the influence). Eventually the education campaign, and the fear of being ticketed, starts to change behavior. No it won't change everyone's behavior, but it will have enough of an impact to save some lives. Just look at seatbelt laws. When they were first introduced many drivers complained that it was none of the state's business whether they chose to wear one or not. Today it is considered socially unacceptable to drive without a seatbelt, and it is socially unacceptable to drive when you are drunk. Many already consider it to be unacceptable to text and drive, but sometimes you need a law to back up public opinion.

The laws are trying to accommodate minimal and responsible use of a smartphone while driving: To use for directions, or to use to make/answer a phone call hands-free. Regardless of how you unlock it, you have to look at your phone eventually if you are going to use it while driving. These new laws seem to be written to say that you should at least have it mounted to the dash so you can see the road while you minimally use your finger to interact with it. That also kind of draws a clear line that says driving directions are okay, but texting is not. I think these laws may become even more strict, because trying to accommodate minimal is hard. People will always assume their use is minimal.
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More laws certainly aren’t the answer. More enforcement of existing laws might be though. I live in Illinois where they conduct DUI roadblocks and seatbelt safety checks somewhat frequently. I’d like to see them step up enforcement of hands-free laws. I think someone not wearing their seatbelt ranks pretty low on the public safety list but idiot drivers paying no attention to the road is at the top. It may not be as exciting for the cops or financially advantageous for the municipalities but this is a serious problem.

You can say that more laws aren't the answer because you live in a state that already has a hands-free law. I do as well, but last year it was a law that was practically worthless. The old hands-free law in Washington state listed using a smartphone as a secondary offense. The new law is more explicit to outline what is acceptable minimal use, and it is a primary offense that you can be pulled over and ticketed for.

Some states don't have any restrictions on using a smartphone while driving. In those states I think more laws are certainly needed.