Skip to main content

Novel Swedish approach to cell phone use while driving

Sweden’s National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) is publishing a new report showing ways to improve road safety. Of note is the fact that the report does not recommend a ban on mobile phone use while driving. Instead, VTI believes that a package measures can train and support drivers to manage communications more safety. According to VTI, this will be more effective than a ban on the use of cell phones at the wheel. VTI claims that more information will enable drivers to understand when it is d
April 13, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
4885 Sweden’s National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) is publishing a new report showing ways to improve road safety. Of note is the fact that the report does not recommend a ban on mobile phone use while driving. Instead, VTI believes that a package measures can train and support drivers to manage communications more safety. According to VTI, this will be more effective than a ban on the use of cell phones at the wheel. VTI claims that more information will enable drivers to understand when it is dangerous to use mobile phones while driving. In addition, VTI suggests that mobile phones could be adapted so only certain functions are available depending on the current traffic situation, and can warn drivers if they become distracted. The report also believes mobile handsets could help drivers to interpret the traffic situation through an exchange of information between infrastructure, vehicles and mobile units. According to VTI potential legislation should be technology-neutral and focus on reckless behaviour rather than the use of mobile devices while driving.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IAM pollsters support traffic light risk system for driving on prescription drugs
    October 16, 2013
    Just half of drivers feel prescription drug labelling is clear enough on medicines, according to the latest poll by road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Earlier this year, the government announced that a drug-driving bill will be introduced and will include chemicals which can be found in prescription drugs. Almost a third of respondents suggest that a simple traffic-light system would be the best method to inform people of the risks of using prescription drugs when driving.
  • Napier University and RPS study looks at UK cycle lanes
    January 9, 2015
    A new UK report suggests local authorities should think twice about automatically incorporating cycle lanes in road design. David Arminas reports Environmental and social arguments for getting more people onto bicycles are well known. The theory is the more people cycling, the less traffic congestion and less air pollution from cars. Well-defined cycle lanes can encourage people who might otherwise be too nervous to take to a bicycle. But just how effective are cycle lanes for increasing the safety of
  • US road asset map
    December 13, 2024
    A comprehensive map of the US interstate network is now available through Blyncsy, part of Bentley Systems.
  • Weigh in motion technology reduces road damage
    February 8, 2012
    Overweight vehicles cause enormous damage to road structures but they can be caught, even at high speed. Weigh-in-motion or WIM devices are designed to capture and record axle weights and gross vehicle weights as vehicles drive over a measurement site.