Preventing texting while driving : a design investigation

Abstract

With the integration of the smartphone into society, people have become increasingly dependent on technology to remain connected to one another. One result of this techno-social integration is that people now have the choice to text while driving, an action that now accounts for nearly 25% of all vehicle accidents and results in at least 11 deaths per day. Current methods of preventing texting while driving are either too new to be fully realized or are ineffective due to poor design or implementation methods. A methodical investigation into the design and merits of these methods, the environments that drivers interact with, and alternative driving experience systems will facilitate an informed design of a new system that may effectively prevent texting while driving. A solution comprised of three separate but dependent strategies is proposed to effectively prevent texting while driving: a universally compatible hardware device for the vehicle setting, financial incentives supported by data acquisition, and a required education curriculum for new drivers.