Many drivers in New York and throughout the U.S. may be open to devices that could help them break away from their smartphones when behind the wheel. It may seem ironic that technology would solve a problem that it initiated, but there are several new devices that could help reduce the number of car accidents attributed to distracted driving.
For example, a Colorado-based company has developed a device called Groove that plugs into a vehicle, links the driver’s phone to a cloud and allows the phone provider to block all incoming and outgoing communications. The product is currently undergoing a pilot program in the U.S. and in Australia. Incoming messages will appear after the car is turned off. Though it does not automatically turn off navigation and music streaming, this can be customized.
In addition, a company in Louisiana has come out with a device called Drive ID that can do similar things but comes with added benefits. This solar-powered device attaches to the windshield and can differentiate between drivers’ and passengers’ phones, blocking only the former. For the benefit of drivers and administrators, it can also report on driving performance after each trip, taking into account speed, acceleration times and braking times.
When the victim of a car accident suffers damages, they may wish to file a legal claim. A lawyer could have experts investigate the case, bringing together the police report, eyewitness testimony, cell phone records and anything else that’s relevant. The victim can start by trying for a settlement out of court, where the lawyer can handle all negotiations. If the auto insurance company refuses to pay out, the victim can proceed to litigation.