New technology called a ‘textalyzer’ would analyze a driver’s phone, revealing distracted driving, similar to how a ‘breathalyzer’ tests for intoxication.
Written by Saundra Barker
Distracted driving can be just as deadly as drunk driving, so why not be able to test it in the same way? That is exactly what the New York law enforcement thought when they developed the ‘textalyzer’, a spin off from ‘breathalyzer.’
Introduced by Cellebrite, an Israeli company rumored to have helped break the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone, a ‘textalyzer’ has the ability to determine whether a person’s phone was used to text, call, or anything else while driving (Washington Post).
Failure to hand over a phone upon a police officer’s request could lead to the suspension of a driver’s license, as is similar to intoxicated driving (New York Times).
Most states, including Pennsylvania, have banned texting and driving but are often ineffective at enforcement. The New York Times reports road fatalities are up roughly eight percent in 2015, partly because there are more drivers, but also because of an increase in distracted driving. For this very reason, supporters believe in the textalyzer’s success in greater accountability.
New York will be the first to use the textalyzer. “If implemented, the technology would be the first of its type used by police in the U.S” (Fox News).
Civil liberty activists, such as the New York Civil Liberties Union, are very critical of the bill. NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman believes such technology could “invite cops to seize phones without justification or warrant” (Fox News). They also point out that police have the option to investigate a phone already with a proper warrant.
The ‘textalyzer’ is said to only detect multitasking drivers. The scanners cannot access personal data. “Radical change requires radical ideas,” said. Mark Rosekind, chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (New York Times).
The ‘textalyzer’ bill is still at the concept phase, but supporters are hopeful of on its passing state legislature before June 20 (Fox News).
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/science/driving-texting-safety-textalyzer.html?_r=0
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/04/13/distracted-driving-clampdown-cops-could-get-textalyzers.html
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