Car Safety
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.
Steven has been writing about cars and other transportation issues worldwide for over ten years. His love for cars started long before he can remember, with Corvettes and 911s being his first car-crushes. Since then, he has owned many types of vehicles and has come to appreciate a wide variety of models, the diverse car culture groups, and the automotive industry in general.
