Mazda Wants to Fight Distracted Driving

Everyone knows distracted driving is bad. Some of us need a reminder, or a watchdog to keep them honest. Mazda gets it, and the company might be looking to solve this problem.

As Jalopnik pointed out, Mazda recently filed a patent for a unique device. It’s essentially an array of sensors that detect if the driver is distracted or not. Some other automakers already have their own versions of such tech in vehicles on the market right now.

Mazda’s idea involves the car providing navigation directions if you’re not paying attention. I’m not sure how that’s supposed to solve the problem, but sure. The car can also tell you how to drive better, which definitely will annoy people. Finally, your Mazda might send you to a road with “features that would entertain” you, as the driver. No, really.

Over time, the car learns what kinds of roads you find entertaining, and it will send you to roads with similar features in the future. How would this affect traffic patterns? Would such a system help you get to destinations on time? Will it make drivers put the phone down and stop tweeting on the go? I admit to being super skeptical about this patent.