Talking on your cellphone while driving isn't a crime in most states, but it should be: studies have shown that people who drive and talk are many times more likely to have an accident. But a
new company is releasing a device to automatically detect drivers talking on their cell phones. Instead of police officer needing to observe a cellphone in use, the system automatically detects a cell phone call and records which car was making the call. So far, the system has been implemented in Europe and will be coming to the USA in the fall. The company says the system is "
designed to detect, identify and cite drivers who break cell phone us laws." If it helps to catch people like the woman on the right (photographed by Flickr user
Digihuman), we're all in favor of this (although we should point out that this particular person wasn't driving, but she was filling her car; another thing you really shouldn't do with a cell phone in your hand). In fact, we might even suggest that the company attaches a paint gun to mark the car, or even an
EMP gun that can disable the offending cell phone.
Many states in the US have laws that require drivers use handsfree devices. Could this unit, which can be used as a mobile unit or mounted on poles to detect drivers passing by, spark a new round of cellphone legislation outlawing talking-while-driving altogether? Would that be a good thing or a bad thing? Sound off in the comments.
[IMG via
TalkingDC]
