Onboard Systems Are Safe, Providers Say

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Manufacturers of onboard communication systems for trucking defended their products’ safety, and some said that they can be used with minimal distraction from driving.

Norm Ellis, vice president of Qualcomm Inc.’s telematics unit, said that the technology provider “believes it is important that any regulatory action involving a ban on texting while driving also take into consideration the important benefits of mobile computing systems used by commercial fleets.”

“The applications that trucking companies use with these systems provide substantial benefits to safety, productivity and environmental quality,” said Ellis, who added that “there has been a great deal of innovation in designing systems that minimize driver distraction, while allowing for critical information to be available when needed.”

Tom Cuthbertson, director of industry solutions for Xata Corp., said he was “confident that our products will comply with the proposed bans.”

Cuthbertson said the company’s onboard systems have been “designed so drivers cannot read or respond to electronic messages received on their in-cab devices if their vehicle is in motion,” and the company recommends that users “completely disable the delivery and readability of text to the in-cab devices when trucks are in motion.”

Brian McLaughlin, chief operating officer of PeopleNet, said, “Transportation Secretary LaHood is right that safety should be everyone’s number one priority. Onboard computing providers are focused on safety, and these devices offer features intended to eliminate distracted driving.

“The responsible use of on-board technology restricts the use of the system while the vehicle is moving, and intelligent onboard computers can automate driver tasks that tra-ditionally would have been handled through text messaging,”  McLaughlin said.

By Dan Leone
Staff Reporter