And if it became impossible to call the wheel? Centrist Senator Vincent Delahaye proposes to install wave jammers against the use of smartphones in cars. It makes this recommendation in an information report on road safety.
These jammers would be installed “in the cities” to neutralize the distractions that represent smartphones. The motorist could no longer telephone or text while driving.
“Do not disturb other networks”
However the report stresses the importance of ensuring the deployment of these jammers does not disrupt the operation of other networks and is harmless to health.
“These wave signal jammer would prevent emergency calls”
For Pierre Chasseray, general delegate of the association 40 million motorists, “this proposal is a very bad idea. Wave jammers would prevent the operation of vehicle emergency call systems that automatically trigger in the event of an accident. These systems have reduced emergency response times and improved road safety. ”
The current regulation on the phone while driving
Today, it is forbidden to take the phone in hand while driving and even to telephone with earphones, on pain of a fine of 135 euros and a withdrawal of 3 points. On the other hand, it is perfectly ok to call with a handsfree kit embedded in the vehicle.
“With these wave jammers, how will cab drivers take orders and their passengers to call? “Asks Pierre Chasseray.
Blocking apps and car modes
Solutions easier to implement are proposed by the senator as the generalization of automatic applications to scramble the network of smartphones. “The phone manufacturers could also be encouraged to equip their devices with a” car mode “, as there is already an” airplane mode “on all smartphones,” says the report. Road Safety has already created in 2015 the application “Driving mode” that puts the mobile phone on standby when driving.
“The airplane mode is already effective, no need to create a car mode,” said the delegate of 40 million motorists.
Prohibit the phone during business trips
Vincent Delahaye also proposes to implement the “right to disconnect” by prohibiting employees from using laptops during business trips.
“In France we only work through repression while the issue of road safety is education,” explains Pierre Chasseray. “It is necessary to multiply the operations of sensitization of the motorists to show them that to telephone while driving is dangerous.