Apple patents technology to stop texting while driving - but 6 years on, it's still not live

Too late for this woman, luckily noone else was hurt.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/selfie-crash-death-woma...

True, but it's still irresponsible and illegal behaviour going on inside the vehicle, so I guess they were lumped together because the method of detection was the same, ie looking through the window. Why this can only take place as part of a "Road Safety Campaign" rather than everyday is beyond me.

I ride in to Nottingham every day, and I had to ride past these guys every day over a two week period or so -- they were parked up in my cycle lane on Abbey Road bridge! Luckily, the other motorists were more than happy to slow down and give me lots of space as we went past the very obviously marked police cars

The mobile phone thing is definitely a problem. As a cyclist riding through rush hour traffic, I do see at least a few people each day using their phone as they drive along. Usually you can spot them before you pull alongside, because they're always out of shape (in terms of position in the road, distance from the car in front or whatever). Also, if someone squeezes me in to a kerb or gets too close for comfort, I often look in and see that little glowing screen down in their lap. It definitely needs this kind of campaign to keep on chipping away, just like we did with drink driving in the 80s/90s.

[As an aside however, I do know one person who they stopped for not wearing a seatbelt (they had spotters further down the road), but the thing is, he was wearing it. It's now his word against theirs, which is a horrible position to be in. Not sure if they take photos or anything, but hopefully he'll be able to get this sorted]

"using a phone at the wheel or not wearing a seatbelt."
Why are those two lumped together? Does 'not wearing a seatbelt' kill other people?

we shouldn't need technology to stop, common sense should prevail, but alas, too many arseholes populate this planet. tougher penalties are the way, get the idiots off the road. use existing cctv to catch them, free up police from paperwork and get them on the roads.....staple convicted rapists to lamposts and get them to take photos of culprits passing by, whatever JFDI.

What about on board car entertainment. moden cars touch screens are just as dangerous, as are sat nav.......and i'm sure you get smokers who puff away, change radio and send a text at the same time.

Surely the simple suggestion is to make Bluetooth mandatory in all new cars sold as well as making Bluetooth mandatory for all company vehicles. Also im astonished that Apple havent been able to develop a simple system to read text messages out loud if a device is connected via bluetooth (I do not think carplay counts as you need a compatable stereo). People arent going to turn off their phones and I can imagine that this tech is clunky and wouldnt work properly so why not use the established technoligies to their full potential? Nothing winds me up more than seeing people driving whilst on their phone however there are some far easier solutions to the problem that arent specific to just one manufacturer.

I do wish this was enforced properly, but as with drink driving the biggest change will occur once it becomes socially unacceptable rather than just illegal. Part of that is education, from the grass roots up. It's surprising how much people react to the judgement of their friends, family and co-workers.

One practical example, if you phone someone who answers whilst driving (including hands free), do you trust them to decide it's safe to continue the call, or instead decide for them and call them back later?

If I'm ever asked why, I emphasise that I don't think it's "responsible" to use a phone whilst driving rather than unsafe. It seems to have more impact as people tend to hold their own views as to what is and isn't safe (something that's also very true of cycling!).

We firstly need a cultural/social solution not technological. That begins with political will, and then extends to punitive fines backed by graphic media campaigns. Looking back, it's astonishing to think that drink-driving was once tolerated.

Texting at the wheel is a very tangible problem, but I think it's less of an issue than that of drivers speeding. Convincing society that a 20mph limit should be the norm in urban areas is far more challenging, but essential if we want to get more people using alternative transport options.

The points on a license given when texting should increase with speed, driving over 20? extra 3 points over 30? another 3 points etc.

Driving over 40mph and texting? Removal of license for such an insane risk to peoples lives.

All removals of license should be minimum 2 years.

We need something like this but it's just financially sensible for the companies.
We are currently in the middle in the next battle, car companies and phone makers working together to harmonise the phone and car. Nuts, truly is but the car companies are only doing because they know the general public want it.
Surely this tech makes sense though. Block calls/texts and most apps but perhaps still allow phone to be used for traffic info/music and communicated via dashboard/speakers and nothing else.

Could it be that apple files hundreds of patents every year with the only intention being to stop their opponents using them without paying or getting the patent first?

I would also like to see this implemented into sat-navs so that when the vehicle is in motion the screen goes blank (remember it's illegal to drive and look at an map/A2Z) and only the voice commands are issued.

If drivers want to change anything they will have to pull over and stop.

I'm very much in favour of using technology to combat this problem, but it has to be able to accurately distinguish between driver and passenger, I mean what if you're on the bus? If it relies on wireless interaction with the car itself then most cars don't have that ability. Tougher enforcement is probably a better solution for the time being.

Would it be possible in today's car electronic engines to screen out mobile phone signals with a jamming device? Just a thought.

1. the patent was filed because Apple is big/fashionable enough to ignore calls from customers and it allows other manufacturers to choose between blaming Apple that they can't implement automatic in-car locking or being on the receiving end of one of Apple's notorious phone patent lawsuits.

2. the patent is invalid because it's obvious, but it still enables both of the above.

The features this patent describes to block the *driver* from texting don't exist yet in cars, and would most likely be easily defeated if they did.

Let's face it, we have had the ability to easily and cheaply prevent drunks from driving for years, but these are not standard in any vehicle.

Excruciatingly tough penalties and strict enforcement are the only answers. Well, that and berating the shit out of anyone you know who does it.

It is a good idea, though other phones have had technology to stop use while driving for a while, albeit using slightly simpler systems. The risk from mobile phone use and texting while driving continues.

One problem is that the penalties are so minimal. They should be on a par with those for drink driving, an automatic 12 month ban, only then will people start to take notice. The major reason we have had such an improvement in our road safety statistics over the last 30 years is that drink driving has become recognised for the anti-social behaviour that it is. This is why there are now 1/6th of the fatalities on UK roads from drink driving that there were when recording of this crime commenced in 1979.

We need to have the same rules for phone use while driving. Until then, people won't get the message.

Hmm, the second part sort of answers my question but what about other passengers using their phones, if the phone senses the vehicle is in motion will it then switch off ?

A good idea though.

Paul Watters seems a bit naive. Apple wouldn't be 'market leader' for long unless all phone manufacturers were forced to do the same.

Harsher penalties are the answer, (£500 + 6 points) combined with judges being less inclined to let people off. You need a car for work? Fine. Don't text while you drive and you won't lose your licence.

When you approach a roundabout and see a tipper lorry turning across you with the driver one-handed and no doubt talking to his missus about 'what's for tea?' then you know changes need to be made.