Fighting Reckless Driving with Technology

Step 4:

Now you can read the answers to the questions and check the answers you were giving. Make sure you also check grammar, spelling, and punctuation of your written answers.

1. Why did Wayne Irving create his software program?
He created a software program to help people resist the urge to use their cell phones while driving. Because in 2008, nearly 6,000 Americans died in crashes involving drivers who were busy doing something other than driving. Wayne Irving is a developer of computer software.

2. Who are the target users of this program?
It was specifically built for people who desire to be responsible, who are looking for a solution to help them not get a ticket, not get in an accident, not risk their life.

3. How does the software work?
Irving calls his software the SMS Replier. It lets drivers get control of their smartphones while driving. The phone sends a message informing callers that the person is busy driving and cannot answer.

4. What description does Wayne Irving give to smartphones?
WAYNE IRVING: "Everything is going to the smartphones. The smartphone is the new laptop. It's the new notebook computer. They're making them bigger. They're making them more feature-rich. They're stronger, they're more powerful than desktops were just three years ago."

5. What was significant about his trip?
Irving drove his recreational vehicle from California to the National Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, D.C. Along the way, more than ten thousand people signed the vehicle to show support for his cause.

6. Why is the Ford Motor Company targeting young drivers and what are the features of its program that can give parents "peace of mind"?
The SMS Replier is only one of many programs that have been created to reduce traffic accidents. For example, the Ford Motor Company is putting one such program in some of its car models to help young drivers. Parents can use a message center on the car to limit its speed. It can also sound warnings if the driver fails to wear a seat belt. Brian Benne of Ford says the system gives parents peace of mind.

BRIAN BENNIE: "We know that teenagers drive distracted and they may not wear their seat belts all the time. This encourages good, safe driving behavior."

Parents do not have to buy a car with built-in technology to control their children's driving. They can add a device to their present car that continuously watches how their children drive. A recording will tell drivers when they speed, drive aggressively or forget to wear their seat belt. The device can inform parents if the driver continues to demonstrate risky driving behavior.

7. In what way do governments contribute to the fight against reckless driving?
State and local governments are also doing their part to support safe driving. Texting while driving is illegal in thirty states and Washington, D.C. And some states have barred drivers from using handheld cell phones.

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