Is General Motors Creating a New Market for Deadly Distraction?

Is General Motors Creating a New Market for Deadly Distraction?

On behalf of Schmitt Law Firm, LLC posted in distracted driving on Friday, June 19, 2020.

Self-driving cars may be on the horizon, but some car companies are already ignoring the driver in their decisions. General Motors has created a new app that gives drivers the power to make purchases using their infotainment systems. We can now add dashboard shopping to the list of things drivers can do rather than pay attention to the road.

The app is called Marketplace and includes the handy feature of being usable while people are driving. GM dreams of a world where drivers can get a notice that the vehicle needs an oil change, schedule the service at a GM dealer and pay for it all in one seamless process. GM has apparently not considered the fact that a driver doing 60 mph will cross several football field length sections of road while focusing on anything but safe driving.

Infotainment systems are a known danger

Studies have already shown that infotainment systems can represent a dangerous distraction. Vehicle designers have made these systems larger than ever before and capable of distracting a driver in any number of ways. Despite warnings that these systems need to be separated from the driving experience, GM and other automakers are pushing the envelope.

New car customers undoubtedly enjoy the ability to tweet, post, text, share and ping using their cars. Consumers may be their own worst enemies in this case. Car companies owe it to the driving public not to equip cars with technology that poses a danger to everyone on the road. Convenience is no excuse to allow drivers to kill themselves and others because they weren’t watching the road.

Source: Automotive News, “GM first to offer in-car purchases via Marketplace app,” by Michael Wayland, 5 December 2017

Disclaimer:

The material presented in this website is not intended as legal counsel. It is provided solely for informational purposes and should not be applied to particular circumstances. Utilizing this website does not establish or imply an attorney-client relationship between Schmitt Law Firm and the site's users. For personalized legal guidance, we encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney.

Call Us Today. 816-400-1000

Tell Us About Your Unique Injury Claim

Contact

    The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“Ben has handled a couple injury claims for me in the past 4 years. He will fight for you and earn your loyalty and gratitude because he gets results! He knows every trick the insurance companies will try to pull, he’s five steps ahead of them. Be patient, these matters take time, but in the end you win with him on your side.”

-Allison

“Ben Schmitt service to his clients exceeded my expectation. He took extreme care to communicate with me effectively and listen with an emphatic ear. His ability to assess my situation, implement & execute the course of action gave way to my successful outcome. I strongly recommend Ben T. Schmitt not only as a great attorney but an ethical leader who cares about his clients.”

-Stephen

“Ben Schmitt is a great lawyer. His accomplishments in his career are outstanding. He helped us very successfully in our time of need. I highly recommend him as a lawyer and a fair and kind man.”

-Stacy

Scroll to Top