Comments on: Texting While Driving: Regulate or Empower & Educate? http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/ Keeping politicians' hands off the Net & everything else related to technology Sun, 27 May 2012 22:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Is It Really Practical to Ban All Talking While Driving? http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-70755 Is It Really Practical to Ban All Talking While Driving? Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:43:52 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-70755 <p>[...] Educate drivers about safer vehicle operation & proper technology use.  For more on that, see Berin Szoka’s excellent post, “Texting While Driving: Regulate or Empower & Educate?” [...]</p> [...] Educate drivers about safer vehicle operation & proper technology use.  For more on that, see Berin Szoka’s excellent post, “Texting While Driving: Regulate or Empower & Educate?” [...]

]]> By: drivesafely1 http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-64996 drivesafely1 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:55:25 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-64996 <p>I don't touch my mobile to read text messages and I always drive with full concentration. I listen to my incoming text messages with <a href="http://www.drivesafe.ly/" rel="nofollow">http://www.drivesafe.ly/</a> mobile application.</p> I don't touch my mobile to read text messages and I always drive with full concentration. I listen to my incoming text messages with http://www.drivesafe.ly/ mobile application.

]]> By: drivesafely1 http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-64368 drivesafely1 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:55:25 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-64368 <p>I don't touch my mobile to read text messages and I always drive with full concentration. I listen to my incoming text messages with <a href="http://www.drivesafe.ly/" rel="nofollow">http://www.drivesafe.ly/</a> mobile application.</p> I don't touch my mobile to read text messages and I always drive with full concentration. I listen to my incoming text messages with http://www.drivesafe.ly/ mobile application.

]]> By: The Progress & Freedom Foundation Blog http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-63519 The Progress & Freedom Foundation Blog Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:47:39 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-63519 <p><strong>Apple Empowering Users to "Sell" Their Attention to Advertisers for "Free" Stuff...</strong></p> <p>Why do (most) stores have walls? Because, obviously, walls are generally (at least in the developing world) a cost-effective technology for enforcing the value exchange that stores offer customers: products or services for customers' cash. Open-air ma...</p> Apple Empowering Users to “Sell” Their Attention to Advertisers for “Free” Stuff…

Why do (most) stores have walls? Because, obviously, walls are generally (at least in the developing world) a cost-effective technology for enforcing the value exchange that stores offer customers: products or services for customers’ cash. Open-air ma…

]]> By: Apple Empowering Users to “Sell” Their Attention to Advertisers for “Free” Stuff — Technology Liberation Front http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-63515 Apple Empowering Users to “Sell” Their Attention to Advertisers for “Free” Stuff — Technology Liberation Front Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:09:39 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-63515 <p>[...] I’ve noted, “sometimes we’re better off by being able to ‘bind’ our future selves—just [...]</p> [...] I’ve noted, “sometimes we’re better off by being able to ‘bind’ our future selves—just [...]

]]> By: Romase http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-62647 Romase Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:59:47 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-62647 <p>site best</p> site best

]]> By: CyGuy http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-62081 CyGuy Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:46:40 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-62081 <p>One thing we’re all forgetting here is that texting while driving is already illegal under current distracted and reckless driving laws as well as cell phone bans. I think the current texting while driving ban is just to specifically point out the dangers to teenagers, and educating young drivers about the dangers of texting while driving is certainly the best way to reach them. <br><br>It’s not just teens we have to worry about though. I was stopped waiting for traffic to clear so I could make a left hand turn when I was rear ended by a business man who was reading an email while cruising along at 50 MPH! The back third of my car was crunched up, I chipped my L3 vertebra and was in physical therapy for over half a year, so I have a very personal interest in this subject.<br><br>Technological solutions will be the best way to combat the texting and emailing while driving problem. Lots of companies are scrambling to create solutions, like DriveSafe.ly that automatically reads text messages and emails out loud while you drive. Education is the second most effective method because it is limited to younger individuals getting their licenses for the first time. Law enforcement is necessary, but highly ineffective. There are people in jail because they ran over someone because they were texting while driving, but for some reason this doesn’t deter people from continuing this bad habit.</p> One thing we’re all forgetting here is that texting while driving is already illegal under current distracted and reckless driving laws as well as cell phone bans. I think the current texting while driving ban is just to specifically point out the dangers to teenagers, and educating young drivers about the dangers of texting while driving is certainly the best way to reach them.

It’s not just teens we have to worry about though. I was stopped waiting for traffic to clear so I could make a left hand turn when I was rear ended by a business man who was reading an email while cruising along at 50 MPH! The back third of my car was crunched up, I chipped my L3 vertebra and was in physical therapy for over half a year, so I have a very personal interest in this subject.

Technological solutions will be the best way to combat the texting and emailing while driving problem. Lots of companies are scrambling to create solutions, like DriveSafe.ly that automatically reads text messages and emails out loud while you drive. Education is the second most effective method because it is limited to younger individuals getting their licenses for the first time. Law enforcement is necessary, but highly ineffective. There are people in jail because they ran over someone because they were texting while driving, but for some reason this doesn’t deter people from continuing this bad habit.

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-61672 Berin Szoka Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:38:00 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-61672 <p>A friend comments on Facebook: "You you give me that video in every drivers Ed class, I'll buy into education, otherwise let's put a stop to it as a matter of public policy and interest."<br><br>Two reactions:<br>1) Showing that video in every driver's ed class is <i>exactly</i> the kind of education campaign I'd like to see, not just on libertarian principle but because I think it's likely to be a lot more effective than simply banning texting while driving!<br>2) The key question here is <i>how</i> we "put a stop to it." If simply banning solved the problem, we wouldn't be wasting money, shredding our civil liberties and devastating inner cites and minority communities to fight our idiotic "War on Drugs." Prohibition simply isn't the silver bullet most people assume.</p> A friend comments on Facebook: “You you give me that video in every drivers Ed class, I'll buy into education, otherwise let's put a stop to it as a matter of public policy and interest.”

Two reactions:
1) Showing that video in every driver's ed class is exactly the kind of education campaign I'd like to see, not just on libertarian principle but because I think it's likely to be a lot more effective than simply banning texting while driving!
2) The key question here is how we “put a stop to it.” If simply banning solved the problem, we wouldn't be wasting money, shredding our civil liberties and devastating inner cites and minority communities to fight our idiotic “War on Drugs.” Prohibition simply isn't the silver bullet most people assume.

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-61673 Berin Szoka Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:32:29 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-61673 <p>Yikes! I really thought I was better at multi-tasking, but I didn't so well on that game. That's a useful example of how to use new media tools to reach young drivers in particular.</p> Yikes! I really thought I was better at multi-tasking, but I didn't so well on that game. That's a useful example of how to use new media tools to reach young drivers in particular.

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-61002 Berin Szoka Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:38:00 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-61002 <p>A friend comments on Facebook: "You you give me that video in every drivers Ed class, I'll buy into education, otherwise let's put a stop to it as a matter of public policy and interest."<br><br>Two reactions:<br>1) Showing that video in every driver's ed class is <i>exactly</i> the kind of education campaign I'd like to see, not just on libertarian principle but because I think it's likely to be a lot more effective than simply banning texting while driving!<br>2) The key question here is <i>how</i> we "put a stop to it." If simply banning solved the problem, we wouldn't be wasting money, shredding our civil liberties and devastating inner cites and minority communities to fight our idiotic "War on Drugs." Prohibition simply isn't the silver bullet most people assume.</p> A friend comments on Facebook: “You you give me that video in every drivers Ed class, I'll buy into education, otherwise let's put a stop to it as a matter of public policy and interest.”

Two reactions:
1) Showing that video in every driver's ed class is exactly the kind of education campaign I'd like to see, not just on libertarian principle but because I think it's likely to be a lot more effective than simply banning texting while driving!
2) The key question here is how we “put a stop to it.” If simply banning solved the problem, we wouldn't be wasting money, shredding our civil liberties and devastating inner cites and minority communities to fight our idiotic “War on Drugs.” Prohibition simply isn't the silver bullet most people assume.

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-61001 Berin Szoka Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:32:29 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-61001 <p>Yikes! I really thought I was better at multi-tasking, but I didn't so well on that game. That's a useful example of how to use new media tools to reach young drivers in particular.</p> Yikes! I really thought I was better at multi-tasking, but I didn't so well on that game. That's a useful example of how to use new media tools to reach young drivers in particular.

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-60985 Berin Szoka Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:50:00 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-60985 <p>Good point, Jayel: legislators (especially at the state and local level) certainly have a strong incentive to prefer solutions that bring in money (like banning an activity and writing tickets for violations) over solutions that either rely on users (pure empowerment) or that require spending (like funding public service announcements and education campaigns).</p> Good point, Jayel: legislators (especially at the state and local level) certainly have a strong incentive to prefer solutions that bring in money (like banning an activity and writing tickets for violations) over solutions that either rely on users (pure empowerment) or that require spending (like funding public service announcements and education campaigns).

]]> By: Jayel Aheram http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-60976 Jayel Aheram Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:23:21 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-60976 <p>How dare you suggest an alternative to a potential revenue stream for the state?</p> How dare you suggest an alternative to a potential revenue stream for the state?

]]> By: Adam Thierer http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-60975 Adam Thierer Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:10:59 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-60975 <p>This new game is also a useful educational tool:<br><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/technology/20090719-driving-game.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/t...</a></p> This new game is also a useful educational tool:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/t…

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-60974 Berin Szoka Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:37:48 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-60974 <p>Really? Did you watch that video? It's pretty sobering. <br><br>I think the Ad Council's recent campaign to educate drivers—especially young drivers—on the dangers of "impaired driving" has been very effective, by showing in powerful visual images that the practical consequences of "buzzed" driving may be exactly the same as the consequences of drunk driving.<br><br>I'm not saying that a law against texting while driving might not be appropriate or helpful. Again, unlike mandatory seatbelt laws, this isn't just about risking one's own life. But to be sure, education and empowerment have to be part of the mix, and to think criminalization or fines alone will solve the problem is just naive. As with most problems, we should start with a "layered approach," not a "lawYered approach." That means asking what education and empowerment tools are available to address a problem before rushing to simple solutions like bans or mandating some silver bullet technological solution. <br><br>Insurance discounts will probably do more to drive innovation in this space than simple prohibitions. Of course, government <i>could</i> create an enormous demand for a particular technological solution by simply mandating that it be pre-installed on all cars or phones, but once you do that, you discourage further innovation. Writing a regulatory mandate that isn't technology-specific might, in theory, minimize this problem, but what would that actually look like in practice?</p> Really? Did you watch that video? It's pretty sobering.

I think the Ad Council's recent campaign to educate drivers—especially young drivers—on the dangers of “impaired driving” has been very effective, by showing in powerful visual images that the practical consequences of “buzzed” driving may be exactly the same as the consequences of drunk driving.

I'm not saying that a law against texting while driving might not be appropriate or helpful. Again, unlike mandatory seatbelt laws, this isn't just about risking one's own life. But to be sure, education and empowerment have to be part of the mix, and to think criminalization or fines alone will solve the problem is just naive. As with most problems, we should start with a “layered approach,” not a “lawYered approach.” That means asking what education and empowerment tools are available to address a problem before rushing to simple solutions like bans or mandating some silver bullet technological solution.

Insurance discounts will probably do more to drive innovation in this space than simple prohibitions. Of course, government could create an enormous demand for a particular technological solution by simply mandating that it be pre-installed on all cars or phones, but once you do that, you discourage further innovation. Writing a regulatory mandate that isn't technology-specific might, in theory, minimize this problem, but what would that actually look like in practice?

]]> By: mdb002 http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-60973 mdb002 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:15:36 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-60973 <p>Since, a great number of those that text while driving would be young, I think an education campaign would have limited effect.</p> Since, a great number of those that text while driving would be young, I think an education campaign would have limited effect.

]]> By: MikeRT http://techliberation.com/2009/08/28/texting-while-driving-regulate-or-empower-educate/comment-page-1/#comment-60972 MikeRT Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:34:22 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=20763#comment-60972 <p>All that is needed is for an enterprising prosecutor to go after a bunch of these drivers and throw the book at them when they harm others.</p> All that is needed is for an enterprising prosecutor to go after a bunch of these drivers and throw the book at them when they harm others.

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