Carmakers tell Feds to crack down on all gadgets

Stop targeting only vehicles and crack down on all electronic gizmos, automakers told federal regulators Monday. In the first of three hearings in advance of its finalizing voluntary guidelines to deter automakers from distracting drivers with vehicle electronics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) heard that any electronic device, such as smartphones, brought into cars should bear focus.


“Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and can have deadly consequences,” said NHTSA administrator David Strickland.

Automakers are asking for 60 days to comment before guidelines are finalized, and want to see the studies NHTSA used to create proposed guidelines. Strickland said NHTSA was considering their requests.

NHTSA in February urged automakers to design dashboards that limit the time drivers must take their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel; they want automakers to disable particularly distracting functions such as text messaging and Web browsing, unless the car is parked.

NHTSA will hold a workshop on the technical details at its Vehicle and Research Test Center in East Liberty, Ohio, on March 23. Further hearings are set for Chicago and Los Angeles this week.


_{Source: The Detroit News}