Here are the facts: During only two of the 8.1 million embedded cell phone calls placed to an OnStar Call Center advisor from October 1996 (when OnStar was introduced) through May 2000 was a driver known to be on the phone at the time of a crash severe enough to deploy the vehicle's air bags. There is no evidence that the calls actively contributed to the crashes; in fact, an examination of underlying records indicated that there were other factors at play in both crashes. In six other cases, in adopting the same kind of research methodology used in the University of Toronto study, it was determined that the driver was on the phone within 10 minutes before a crash that deployed the air bags. Again, there was no evidence to suggest that the calls were related to the subsequent crashes.
The OnStar "SenseAble driving" study was conducted by Richard A. Young, Ph.D., a GM staff research scientist. Young presented his findings to a group of fellow human factors scientists last week in Colorado.
The study covered only embedded cell phone calls placed from OnStar-equipped GM vehicles to an OnStar advisor. In addition, only crashes in which the air bag deployed, resulting in an automatic phone call to the OnStar Call Center, were examined. "We already knew from our research and thousands of customers' testimonials that OnStar enhances vehicle safety and security," said Chet Huber, president of OnStar, in announcing the findings. "This study confirms that our customers can safely use the embedded cell phone technology of OnStar. From the beginning, OnStar's unique three-button system was designed with safety as a priority."