Road safety experts criticise new Yaris which enables drivers to text

Wed, 14 Sep 2011

The range of new clean models of Toyota Yaris, unveiled at Frankfurt, which have been fitted with new technology allowing motorists to send texts while moving have come under fire from road safety experts.

Rival set-ups enable owners to reply to messages with preset responses, such as ‘Driving now, will reply later’. However, the Yaris lets users type and send unique messages via the Touch and Go multimedia screen. This works even when the car is moving, and will be available in other Toyotas when they are replaced.

As mobile phone laws apply only to hand-held devices, the system is not illegal. AA road safety chief Andrew Howard argues that it could be a distraction. He said: "People will feel pressured to reply to texts and not watch the road. Owners risk falling foul of dangerous driving laws if not in proper control of the car."

Defended the technology, a Toyota spokesman explained: "The user has to be responsible for their actions." He added that it was "arguably more dangerous" for drivers to text using a mobile on their lap.
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