Drivers Get On The SMS Craze But Ignore Safety

A survey was recently conducted and the statistics and data show that more and more drivers are sending and reading SMS messages on their cellular and mobile phones. This new study was conducted by Nuance Communications, Inc. which is currently the leading in the world when it comes to supplying solutions for speech and imaging.

According to this organization, the survey that they conducted was basically done so as to assess and check "the experience and expectations of car owners regarding speed-enabled functions in cars". And this study took around a thousand drivers as respondents. These drivers were from various continents like European country Germany, North American nation United States, and Asian country Japan. The statistics showed that these driver-respondents were very much relying on information and communication devices that could be found and installed in vehicles. These respondents even shared that they are willing to pay extra just to get such devices for their vehicles.

Craig Peddie is the vice president and the general manager of Nuance’s Embedded Speech Solutions division and he shares, "The proliferation of technology in cars, such as mobile phones, navigation systems and MP3 players, has created a global fleet of distracted drivers. From voice-activated dialing and voice destination entry for navigation systems to speech-based control of entertainment systems, embedded speech applications deliver the hands-free, eyes-free interface that today’s electronically connected drivers need to balance on-road safety and personal convenience."

Indeed, devices for vehicles should be designed so as to assist drivers more rather than distract them. After all, the main responsibility of a driver is to reach his or her destination and keep their eyes on the road. But oftentimes, such new technologies for communication have kept the attention of these drivers away from driving or away from the road. Rather than thinking about which 780 Volvo car parts might be needing replacement or which road would not be congested, the attention of drivers are directed towards the SMS messages that they are sending or are reading.

And distractions like this could lead to injury or could be fatal.