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Public Meeting

Registered guests responded to a number of thought-provoking questions addressing specific in-vehicle technologies and general crosscutting issues. Results are provided below (note that results are not scientific and should not be interpreted as representative of drivers in general. Rather, results were intended to stimulate and focus discussion on these topics and provide a sense of the general feelings of forum participants).


In-Vehicle Technologies: Experience & Research


Is it safe to talk on a cell phone while driving?
Yes 238 
 22%
No 801 
 75%
Don't Know 30 
 3%
# of Votes  1069


Which of the following is your biggest safety concern associated with cell phone use while driving?
Dialing a telephone number 278 
 28%
Answering the telephone 23 
 2%
Holding a conversation 351 
 36%
Doing cell-phone related tasks such as writing-down notes while holding a conversation 336 
 34%
# of Votes  988


Under which conditions would you feel it safe to use a cell phone.
Anytime while driving 53 
 7%
When driving under light traffic conditions (on open road conditions) 213 
 29%
It’s never safe to use a cell phone while driving 466 
 64%
# of Votes  732


Do you use a hands-free or hand-held cell phone while driving?
Yes, hands free 60 
 10%
Yes, hand-held 109 
 19%
Both, hands-free and hand-held 43 
 8%
Own, but don’t use while driving 167 
 29%
Don’t own 194 
 34%
# of Votes  573


If you use a “hands free” phone while driving, how often do you use it in your vehicle in its hands free mode?
Frequently 59 
 18%
Sometimes 24 
 8%
Rarely 33 
 10%
Do no use while driving 204 
 64%
# of Votes  320


How often do you receive calls when you drive?
Frequently 42 
 9%
Sometimes 85 
 18%
Rarely 156 
 32%
Never 199 
 41%
# of Votes  482


For navigation systems, how important a feature is the capability to view maps while driving (when the vehicle is in motion)?
Very important, wouldn’t buy a system without this capability 90 
 15%
Somewhat important, but not critical 65 
 11%
Not important as long as turn-by-turn directions were provided 277 
 46%
Don’t Know 168 
 28%
# of Votes  600


Would you purchase a system that prevents you from entering a destination address while the vehicle is in motion?
Yes 315 
 65%
No 166 
 35%
# of Votes  481


In your opinion, would a night vision system (designed to display distant objects on a head-up display low on the windshield) improve safety or pose a threat to safety by distracting drivers?
Increase safety 81 
 38%
No effect 11 
 5%
Decrease safety 48 
 23%
Don't know 71 
 34%
# of Votes  211


Benefits & Safety Risks


In terms of safety, what type of distraction concerns you more?
Using cell phones, navigation systems and other advanced technologies while driving. 365 
 40%
Doing other activities while driving (e.g., eating, drinking, etc.) 95 
 10%
Both are equally concerning 450 
 49%
# of Votes  910


Have you ever witnessed, or experienced a close call or crash resulting from a driver using a cellular phone or from your personal use with a cell phone?
Witnessed/experienced a crash 85 
 16%
Witnessed/experienced a close call 346 
 64%
Never observed or experienced either 109 
 20%
# of Votes  540


How capable are drivers at making decisions about when it is safe to use technology while driving?
Very capable 25 
 4%
Reasonably capable 107 
 16%
Drivers do a poor job 431 
 65%
Drivers cannot make these judgments 97 
 15%
# of Votes  660


Have you ever witnessed, or experienced a close call or crash resulting from a driver being distracted by something other than a cell phone? (e.g. reading a map, eating, personal grooming)
Witnessed/experienced a crash 170 
 23%
Witnessed/experienced a close call 405 
 55%
Never observed or experienced either 155 
 21%
# of Votes  730


Equipment Design Features (Impacts on Safety)


If purchasing an in-vehicle device, how much of an influence does the design and ease of use of devices have on your selection?
Most important factor 179 
 31%
Important, but tempered by other factors 277 
 49%
Not particularly important 40 
 7%
Not a consideration at all 74 
 13%
# of Votes  570


Can auditory systems (devices with the capability to interpret voice commands, or communicate using speech messages) address the safety concerns associated with operating in-vehicle technologies?
To a large extent 213 
 25%
Only somewhat 276 
 33%
Minimally 275 
 33%
Don’t’ know 79 
 9%
# of Votes  843


Do you believe hands-free technology is sufficient to address safety concerns related to cell phone use while driving?
Yes 107 
 21%
No 380 
 73%
Don't Know 33 
 6%
# of Votes  520


Is it possible to design electronic maps that can be safely used while driving?
Yes 202 
 33%
No 238 
 39%
Don't Know 175 
 28%
# of Votes  615


Is it possible to design wireless Internet devices (e.g., e-mail systems) that can be safely used while driving?
Yes 166 
 20%
No 552 
 65%
Don't Know 133 
 16%
# of Votes  851


Regulations, Guidelines & Enforcement


Should States or local governments enact laws to restrict the use of cell phones while driving?
Yes 646 
 74%
No 196 
 22%
Don't Know 32 
 4%
# of Votes  874


Safety Campaigns & Public Education


Have you changed how you use your cell phone in your vehicle because of a safety tip you saw or heard?
Yes 323 
 39%
No 211 
 25%
Don't use a cell phone 302 
 36%
# of Votes  836


Can public education and training about the safe use of in-vehicle technologies (e.g., cell phones, navigation systems, etc.) increase safety?
To a large extent 212 
 25%
Only somewhat 269 
 31%
Minimally 367 
 43%
Don’t Know 11 
 1%
# of Votes  859