All EU cars will be equipped with "eCall" by 2009

Some new driving safety measures on the drawing board ...

"By 2009, all new cars in the EU will come off the conveyer belt with an "eCall" system, which in case of an accident will automatically dial 112 -the EU wide emergency number. An eCall may be triggered automatically, or manually, after a car crash giving emergency services accurate location information, reducing their response time and saving lives. EU Technology Commissioner Viviane Reding said, if EU Member States don't react, and fail to invest in the necessary emergency service infrastructure, the introduction of eCall technology shall face a delay."   continued ...   (Via PhysOrg)

eCall accident call-in system.

Behind-the-wheel dining is not as risky as it seems

It is hard to see how eating while driving is a good thing for safety, but it is common ...

"Mitch Bocook spends most of his day on the road in Palm Beach County, Fla., one eye on the clock and no time to brake for lunch. Sit down at a restaurant? That might put him behind schedule. Pull up to a drive-through? He'd rather keep driving.

Bocook is a dashboard diner, one of a growing number of drivers who eat in their cars on a regular basis. Studies on driver distractions estimate that as many as 75 percent of motorists eat behind the wheel, although this habit was found more likely to leave messy stains on their shirts than cause traffic crashes.

A car or truck is no longer just a means to get around. Automakers are adding ergonomically designed cup holders, more storage space and spill-resistant upholstery. Center consoles double as makeshift tables. Fast-food chains are repackaging meals to make them easier to eat on the run."   continued ...   (Via FortWayne.com)

Right, not a distraction.

Fatigue management conference kicks off

Fatigue is a safety problem in the trucking industry ...

"Transportation officials will join sleep experts from across the globe to discuss how to reduce fatigue-related crashes on highways.

Officials from 13 countries -- including representatives from Transport Canada and the Canadian Trucking Alliance -- are gathering in Seattle to exchange information on the latest fatigue management research, technologies and countermeasures.

The conference is part of a series of fatigue in transportation conferences that have taken place in Fremantle, Australia, since 1994, under the auspices of Murdoch University. Nearly 100 scientific papers will serve as the basis of discussion of various topics such as fatigue in transportation; fatigue indicators and monitoring devices; the impact of fatigue on performance, scheduling, sleep disorders screening and treatment and; fatigue management programs and countermeasures, education, training and evaluation."   continued ...   (Via Today's Trucking)

Fatigue is a safety issue.

Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale

It seems like this could reduce accidents due to distracted cell phone users ...

"With concerns mounting over the safety of cell phone use while driving, Motorola’s Driving Simulator Lab in Tempe is testing mobile phones that can analyze driving conditions and avoid distracting the driver.

The device, called a "polite" phone because it helps the user drive politely, has been researched and tested for about two years, and Motorola is ready to discuss the project publicly, said Mike Gardner, director of intelligent systems research.

The software programmed into the phone can detect if the car is parked or cruising or in complex driving situations. If the car is parked, all incoming calls are are allowed through to the speaker phone. It also senses if the driver has entered the car and automatically transfers any ongoing calls to the speaker phone.

If the car is cruising on the highway, the only calls that are accepted are those from a pre-programmed phone book list — the ones the user wants to go through. All other incoming calls are routed to voice mail."   continued ...   (Via East Valley Tribune)

Looking for trouble.

Is Graphic Design Only For Those Who Can See?

Extending accessibility to everyday things ...

"One of the organizations that I recently learned of, who I believe could use our services is Our Money Too. This is a group of Americans lobbying our government to establish some sort of tactile markings on our U.S. currency. It seems like it would be a “no-brainer” to get this rolling in Washington, but as you can guess it has been held up a number of times in the legislative process. THIS IS A GRAPHIC DESIGN PROBLEM. As graphic designers, this is exactly the sort of issue we should address. I have emailed this group to let them know that I am more than willing to help in whatever way they may need it. I am also going to send a copy of this post to the AIGA and my congressman and see what happens. I looked into this issue on the US Department of Treasury website and although they are aware of it they give the usual government “run-around” response. I believe this to be one form of exclusion, that as graphic designers we can remedy."   continued ...   (Via Ramblings of a Graphic Design Professor)

Making money accessible.