General Motors Co. (GM: NYSE) division Chevrolet claims that it has made 4G Wi-Fi available across several of its model lines. The offering may spur demand, but it also may make the driving experience more dangerous. Drivers already are distracted by portable device texting and talking. And 4G Wi-Fi hot spots sold by wireless providers already allow owners of any car to have what Chevy offers.
Chevy management writes:
Internet in your car? It’s here. Chevrolet is leading the way with the most vehicles in its line up offering the available built-in OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing drivers the ability to seamlessly connect their smart devices and vehicles to the internet.
The system will allow up to seven devices to have Wi-Fi access. The product is currently available on the Volt, Malibu, Impala, Corvette and Equinox. Most of the balance of the Chevy line-up will get the service “soon.”
The FCC recently released a report that pointed out:
The popularity of mobile devices has had some unintended and even dangerous consequences. We now know that mobile communications are linked to a significant increase in distracted driving, resulting in injury and loss of life.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2010 driver distraction was the cause of 18 percent of all fatal crashes — with 3,092 people killed — and crashes resulting in an injury — with 416,000 people wounded.
- Forty percent of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger, according to a Pew survey.
- The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.
- Eleven percent of drivers aged 18 to 20 who were involved in an automobile accident and survived admitted they were sending or receiving texts when they crashed.
Distracted driving endangers life and property and the current levels of injury and loss are unacceptable.
Chevy can add its 4G Wi-Fi to the list of things drivers can use while they should be watching the road.
READ ALSO: GM Stops Sales of Hot-Selling Corvette
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