NHTSA Plans New Phone-Vehicle Integration Guidelines
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it will be releasing new voluntary guidelines for smartphone integration with vehicles next year.
This year, NHTSA released guidelines that were geared towards automakers in terms of how smartphones can interact with vehicles, the new guidelines however will be broader in scope. While automakers are urging NHTSA to address smartphone integrations, they are concerned that the guidelines could be too strict. As a result, drivers might choose to just use their smartphones rather than in-vehicle applications for their tasks.
SEE ALSO: Distracted Driving Fatalities Drop as Highway Deaths Rise
The announcement marks the first time NHTSA has definitively claimed that it can regulate portable electronic devices under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Regulations could be set on certain applications such as navigation and how they are used on smartphones in vehicles.
According to NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, the agency’s long term goal is to develop the technology to limit drivers from using their smartphones unless they’re paired with a vehicle to make hands-free calls.
[Source: Detroit News]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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