U.S. Asks if Displays, Phones Distract Truck Drivers
When does the growth of information technology for trucking become information overload that could distract the driver? Federal transportation officials have decided it’s time to look into the question, since it could have negative implications for safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will open a forum to the public on the Internet in July to discuss implications of the rush to add ever more sophisticated communications and warning systems to the truck cab.
In particular, NHTSA is concerned about technologies that transmit, receive or display information, such as wireless phones, on-board computers and navigation systems.
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 |  Freightliner Corp. |
| NHTSA wants to determine whether dashboard-mounted driver message centers and other displays may distract drivers’ attention. |
Also, the agency, which regulates the safety aspects of vehicle design, will conduct a public meeting in Washington July 18 in conjunction with a National Intelligent Vehicle Initiative conference. The meeting will address technologies that possibly could distract automobile and big rig drivers alike.
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