Can Oprah Winfrey Stop Cell Phone-Using Drivers?
In an appearance on "Good Morning America," Winfrey said: "My plea is to recognize that really it is an addiction. Look, five years ago, 10 years ago we weren't doing this. We used to drive in our cars and reach the destination; think about what we had to do once we got to the destination or think about our lives just driving was enough. And I think driving still is enough."
Six states have already prohibited drivers from talking on the cell phones and driving at the same time, and 21 states have prohibited texting while driving. While most drivers are now more wary of getting caught, the compulsion to return calls, texts and even e-mails is still prevalent and has led to dire consequences.
Roughly 6,000 people were killed and 500,000 were injured in 2008 alone because of distracted driving. To change driving patterns, experts think strict penalties are the key.
Even wireless carriers are taking steps toward alleviating this rampant problem. AT&T ran a PR campaign dedicated to showing the last text message sent or received before someone was killed or injured as a result of texting and driving. If anything, corporate actions such as this raise awareness.
Quy Nguyen, CEO of Allyance Communications Networks, a solution provider in Irvine, Calif., says device makers stand to benefit from the increased awareness Oprah may bring to the issue.
"The biggest winner from Oprah's initiatives are Bluetooth device manufacturers and makers of hands-free devices," he said. Vendors of software that locks mobile devices while a car is in motion, such as zoomsafer.com, txtblocker.com or textecution.com, are also well positioned, he said.