The explosion of in-car technology is offering opportunities in the aftermarket for tech savvy Motor Factors and Garages, but raising road safety concerns across the globe.
The Irish Times reports http://www.irishtimes.com/business/opportunity-exists-for-ireland-in-car-tech-1.1716536 that Smart phone apps abound for the car driver with apps for route planning and traffic jam avoidance; car sharing; finding free parking spaces; finding the nearest and cheapest petrol stations; warning of speed traps; trip analysis, including CO2 emissions; on board diagnosis of engine performance; and even g-force indicators of acceleration and cornering. Some of these apps are applicable before and after a trip. But many are targeted for in-vehicle use, and so raise safety concerns.
Last month, Ireland raised the number of penalty points for driving whilst (just simply) holding a mobile phone, from two to three points on payment of a fixed fine, and from four to five upon a conviction.
