Chrysler will offer wireless Internet access in 2009 models

Maybe I'll have to trade in my Sahara for a Rubi after all.

 

You mean I can opt not to use my Blackberry anymore? ;-)

I bet they'll make it not usable while in motion, just like the GPS. :(

 

That could be a good thing. I think it's asinine that they wouldn't offer something 'cause it "could" be a distraction. Heck, my 3 kids are a big distraction... should I not take them with me? Just ridiculous.

It will be nice to have when traveling, though, to use as a nav aid.

 

My 2008 Sahara has UConnect. It was a huge selling feature for me. The coolest feature (IMHO) is the ability to program destinations into the nav while you're driving by voice.

Respectfully disagree with you. Folks will find a way to distract themselves anyways. It's time people start taking responsibility for themselves. The market is going to start punishing people that get in accidents as a result of cell-phone usage (insurance companies are 18 months away from this). So there will be severe economic disadvantages to being a distracted driver.

I've had specific uses for this every single weekend since I had my Jeep. Especially while off-road.

The text-to-speech technology already exists in the UC computer. We're 2-3 years (only) from seeing devices which read emails and let you reply, by voice, integrated in cars. Hopefully Chrysler will be first to market with this. If they are, this is the kind of innovation that can literally save North American automakers.

 

Perhaps at first. But the number one mitigating factor in DUI convictions has not been legislation, but the punishment that one has to bear from insurance costs.

Once insurance companies catch up to the 21st century, distracted drivers will carry significant risks as a result of their behavior.

But don't punish the rest of us who can use this technology responsibly. There's lots of people who don't percieve this as dumb.

 

OK, let's ban cars. Then no one will get hurt as a result of people driving cars.

Your argument is rediculous. When you get on a motorcycle (or into a car for that matter), you are taking a calculated risk. The risk is that you won't be hit by another car, or a falling tree, or an animal crossing the road, or should any of that happen, that you will be amply protected by the vehicle you are on (or in). As a result of that risk, you get the benefit of quickly getting to where you want to go.

We carry insurance to help mitigate that risk. I'm sorry about your friend, and I'm just as angry as you are about distracted drivers. But your solution won't work. People will always find ways to distract themselves UNLESS the risk they take by distracting themselves is far greater than the percieved benefit from that distraction.

The same way we survived in life without the Internet, I suppose. But I have no desire to erase 50 years of human development.

 

I'll wait, as it will be really slow to start, dial up type speeds and who knows how much it will actually cost. No thanks, I can use my phone to check e-mail or take care of other things if need be.

 

I would love for this to get introduced.

I wouldn't have to lug my Laptop in for navigation.

As for distractions, irresponsible people will always be irresponsible. No matter what.

Driving is not a right, it's a privilige.

Yes, accidents do happen because of negligence, and hell if we had this attitude towards everything, alcohol should have been banned long time ago.

So, I fully agree with BakedJake on this. This is wonderful technology that I am looking forward to.

 

You're making a generalization that isn't true. Age is one factor in insurance costs, but criminal convictions play a far larger part.

I've been hit and injured by an old guy falling asleep. Your assertion that "age" somehow makes you a better driver is nonsense, and it's why the "discount" at 25 years old is shrinking every year. Experience certainly helps, but don't classify old vs. young.

Many drivers in Europe at 23 are far safer drivers than middle aged drivers in North America, simply due to the extensive training they must do to get a license.

 

N2Rock, we're in total agreement on this.

My entire point is that once insurance costs become extremely high after an accident in which a distracted driver is at fault (like DUI convictions), the distraction problem will become much smaller. But banning the technology won't fix anything.