As the holiday season is in full swing, residents in Maryland may well be concerned about drunk drivers being on the road. That is a legitimate concern as people frequently consume alcohol at holiday celebrations and then drive home. However, drunk driving is not the only danger people need to think about anymore.
Distracted driving is now said to be a factor in as many as one out of every four vehicle accidents. To make matters worse, a major domestic auto manufacturer is preparing to launch a new app that would essentially only encourage distracted driving. Named Marketplace, the app would be built into vehicles and would allow drivers to shop and purchase goods, food, and beverages while they are actively driving.
The automaker argues that the app promotes safe shopping while driving compared to doing the same things on a smartphone. The National Safety Council indicates that no shopping while driving is actually safe and that this app to be provided by GM will only contribute to a reduction in safety on the roads. The technology is expected to be included in vehicles this year and next so it is far from being just a concept.
While more and more distractions appear to be offered to drivers, Maryland residents who are involved in crashes caused by distracted drivers may want to talk with an attorney about how they might seek compensation for their injuries and losses.