National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed
voluntary guidelines to encourage automakers to create less distracting electronic
devices in cars. The guidelines would apply to communications,
entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices or functions that
are not required to safely operate the vehicle. Geared toward light vehicles,
the proposed guidelines is the first phase in a series of guidance documents.
The proposed distraction guidelines include recommendations
to:
- reduce complexity and task length required by the device;
- limit device operation to one hand only;
- limit individual off-road glances required for device operation to no more than 2 seconds;
- limit unnecessary visual information in the driver’s field of view;
- limit the amount of manual inputs required for device operation.
The proposed guidelines also recommend disabling text
messaging, internet, social media and other operations by in-vehicle electronic
devices while driving. NHTSA says it will hold public hearings on the proposed
guidelines to solicit public comment.