Driver Distractions not just Cell Phones and Texting

Blank-ITMuch of the emphasis of recent Federal and State 'Distracted Driving' legislation has focused on the use of Cell Phones. Talking and texting when driving is undoubtedly a dangerous practice but the problem of Driver Distraction is far wider and can have many causes.

Many countries already have laws relating to 'inattentive' driving or driving without due car and attention which relate to the general problem of driver distraction. Furthermore, specific regulations have been drawn up in Australia, Canada and the UK governing the use of computers and other display devices whilst driving.

For example, Canadian law states:

"No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway if the display screen of a television, computer or other device in the motor vehicle is visible to the driver"

and Australian Road Traffic rules say:

"A Television receiver or visual display unit must not be installed in a vehicle so any part of the image on the screen is visible to the driver from the normal driving position"

Regulations like these aim to address the problem of distraction caused by use of a computer or entertainment technology in moving vehicles.

Legislation, Health, Safety and the Workplace

The growing mobilisation of the workforce and associated advances in technology mean that employees are now able to stay in touch and be productive while 'on the road' - this capability presents new dangers due to the potential distraction caused by use of the technology.

Legislation aimed at use of computers or display devices recognises these dangers, and OH&S bodies are also targeting the employer's responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their workforce, including the vehicles that they use.

The situation can be complicated because certain groups may require access to software that is defined as "legally allowable", such as Despatch Systems, Aids to Navigation and Reversing Cameras. Drivers of Emergency Responder vehicles may also have specific requirements. In addition, much of the current regulation specifically relates to 'Driver Facing' screens, which means that devices oriented away from the driver (i.e. facing towards a navigator/fellow employee) can be operated without restriction.

Blank-IT is designed to address all of these situations. Blank-IT will prevent access to the computer display (or restrict access to only legally allowed programs) when it detects that the vehicle is in motion. It accommodates 'swing away' type setups where the screen may be positioned facing the driver or away from the driver and adjusts functionality accordingly.

Blank-IT uses specially designed Motion Detection technology that does not rely on 3rd party input such as GPS (which can be unreliable in some environments).