Share Your Views

[quizfan]

I just came across this article: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/hacker-develops-rear-window-led-to-send-messages-to-other-drivers/

Basically, someone developed a panel of LED lights that can be used to display smiley faces or messages to other drivers. This just seems ridiculously unsafe... at least when people are texting while driving, they aren't distracting the people behind them! The article explains that the designer wants to eventually make it so that the messages are automated and you don't have to type them in or whatever.

I thought this was just an isolated "weird news" article, but I poked around on google and came up with a huge crop of websites selling essentially the same thing, only with pre-programmed emoticons or messages which can be shown at the hit of a button: http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/d138/#tabs

Apparently these are legal in some states! I get why some of these messages could be useful-- to warn other drivers you're having problems with your car, or that their brake lights are out, etc.-- but I feel like a lot of people will misuse this by harassing other drivers. Plus, I can't think of a way this technology could be implemented without distracting both driver and viewers to some extent. I would certainly be startled if I saw one of these on the road.

Any thoughts?

[scout11]

I can't believe this! Quizfan has uncovered something which seems both ridiculous and incredibly dangerous. I agree with quizfan that this would be distracting to other drivers and to the person triggering the messages in the first place. Whoever invented this has no sense at all. And I can't believe that certain states actually allow these!

[quizfan]

Yeah, I've been thinking about it and even if you were having trouble on the highway or something, putting your hazards on would communicate that about as effectively as a written message. I really don't think the usefulness of this idea outweighs its risk.