BerryFocused.com

We've Moved!

Eleanor J — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:51:09 +0000

ZoomSafer has experienced some super-exciting changes recently. We just launched a revamped website - and as part of this update, we also launched a brand-new safe driving blog. We'll continue to bring you fresh and interesting articles on how to safely manage your CrackBerry addiction, and hope you'll visit us at our new home.

Check out the latest stories available on ZoomSafer's safe driving blog:

Must Watch: Frightening Video of Distracted Driving Caught on Tape

Sam D — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:39:13 +0000

We can read all the data and numbers we can process and know that distracted driving is a terrible problem, but sometimes facts and figures just don't hit home. Not like this video does:

Did your heart sink? Did you tense up? Imagine how you would feel if you were that driver. Imagine how you would feel if the driver was one of your employees. Here's to hoping we never know how that feels.

Don't end up in a video like this.

Cell Phones Not Like Other Distractions

Sam D — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:10:18 +0000

“We are always distracted while driving! Using my cell phone is no different than listening to the radio or talking to a passenger”

This is a common opinion on the issue of distracted driving. To be fair, its proponents have some evidence on the matter. Earlier this month, a FedEx employee was in a serious car accident after he choked on a pork rind. British researchers recently determined that listening to sports commentary on the radio reduces reaction times to 20%, about the same as driving while intoxicated.

While there will always be reasons for a driver to take their eyes off the road or lose their focus, mobile devices are a different beast. Cell phones are becoming a bigger part of our lives everyday. With GPS navigation and faster mobile browsing, the temptation to use our phones while driving is growing exponentially.

As we enter further into this territory, it’s important that we take every precaution we find necessary to prevent distracted driving.

And surely we could ALL stand to lay off the pork rinds.

Powerful New Video Highlights Distracted Driving's Risks for Businesses

Eleanor J — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:19:21 +0000

It takes only a moment's inattention behind the wheel for a crash to happen. NHTSA estimates that driver distraction causes 80% of all automobile crashes, which lead to thousands of deaths annually. Those preventable fatalities represent just one of the many consequences of distracted driving. Watch this video to get a sober and realistic look at the risks distracted driving creates for corporate employers:

As the modern workforce becomes increasingly mobile, cellular phones' ubiquity represents both a coup for productivity and a serious challenge for safety and risk management. It is imperative that employers recognize the bad as well as the good, and acknowledge that it is in their best interests to demand the safe, legal, and responsible use of mobile phones while driving from their employees.

More States Adopt Anti-Texting Legislation

Eleanor J — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:57:29 +0000

Hot on the heels of last month's GHSA report on states' myriad efforts to prevent distracted driving, six states have undertaken legislative action to restrict or prohibit handheld cell phone use while driving. On July 1, texting bans came into effect in four states: Georgia, Iowa, Michigan and Wyoming.

Georgia's ban on texting while driving for adult drivers, also known as Caleb's Law, intiially faced resistance from Gov. Sonny Perdue, who had concerns about the law's enforceability. Specifically, Gov. Perdue took issue with a semantic loophole in the language of the law - the prohibition against reading any text-based communication. Jim Galloway of Political Insider reports Purdue had concerns about the prohibition against 'read[ing] any text-based communication'. Purdue gave the following example: "If I get my e-mails and I pick up a smart-phone and read my e-mails, I’m violating the law. But if I print out my e-mails and I have a sheet of paper driving [and look at it], then I haven’t violated the law." Although Gov. Purdue did sign Caleb's Law and an accompanying ban on handheld phone use behind the wheel by minor drivers, the questions about enforceability still remain. Law enforcement will issue warnings and no citations for the first month, meaning violators will escape a $150 fine.

Gov. Purdue raises a legitimate question about police officers' ability to discern whether a driver handling his or her phone is violating the state's laws. But his example is flawed. A driver who is leafing through a sheaf of papers while driving is likely in violation of the statute regarding reckless driving. Activites that divert a driver's attention are all likely to contribute to a crash in varying degrees.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts and Delaware became the 29th and 30th states to prohibit texting while driving. Massachussets' law comes into effect in October, and includes touch sanctions for underage drivers - in addition to losing their licenses, underage violators must also complete a mandatory course aimed at educating them about the dangers of distracted driving. In addition to banning texting, Delaware went a step further, becoming the 8th state to ban the use of handheld mobile devices while driving. Under the new law, drivers may not use handheld cell phones, PDAs, laptops, or electronic gaming systems while driving.

Ford's Anti-Texting SYNC Update Falls Far Short

Mike H — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:11:01 +0000

Yesterday, just as ZoomSafer was releasing our new Bluetooth Beta software, there was other news in the business world about distracted driving and Bluetooth car kits; Ford announced that the next release of their Ford SYNC car kit will have a "Do Not Disturb" button which, when pressed, will block all incoming calls, text messages, typing on the keypad and will narrow some other features like navigation. To which my first response would have to be... "wait, the Ford SYNC software has features that call for a driver to be typing on a keypad?!"

That point aside, this is a pretty obvious example of Ford attempting to respond to public pressure against distracted driving by releasing a feature that seems to at least take a step in the right direction towards making our roads safer. And it IS a step in the right direction, don't get me wrong. It's obviously much better than the lobbyist industry's response to the rising anti-distracted driving sentiment anyway.

But there's a serious flaw here, and its what reduces this new feature from what could have been a real step forward in the fight to prevent distracted driving, to more of a PR stunt to get some friendly media coverage. I've written before about the evidence that employees won't voluntarily stop texting while driving, and unfortunately this "Do Not Disturb" feature does nothing to address that; it still depends on the user "opting in."

The truth is, this won't happen. The best employers can do is put in paper policies to require that this feature be activated, and there's plenty of evidence that this is not enough to reduce their liability. Without a way to automatically put Ford SYNC in "Do Not Disturb" mode or a reporting feature to check that employees are doing it manually, this feature is not going to do anything to enforce employer's distracted driving policies.

Both automation and reporting are built into Fleetsafer, ZoomSafer's enterprise product that can effectively enforce the policy decisions of an employer or fleet manager who wants their employees to be safe and reliable on the road. And as we work to perfect the Beta software that was released yesterday, we'll soon have a stable product that triggers off the Ford SYNC software as well (in the meantime check out the free Beta!)

So if you want to impress people and ride the PR wave of anti-distracted driving, be sure to outfit your employees with the new Ford SYNC coming out next year. But if you actually want to reduce your liability and save your company from all the troubles associated with distracted driving, you might want to consider something a little more enforceable.

Don't Stop Legislation; Embrace Innovation

Sam D — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:46:26 +0000

A new group of car makers, wireless companies and safety advocates have formed the DRIVE Coaliton, with aims to counter the recent rise in distracted driving legislation.

According to an internal document, DRIVE claims that efforts to prevent distracted driving have morphed into a “benign debate” that has been “hijacked” by legislators and celebrities like Oprah Winfrey. They are set to argue that driver education is key and that strict state and federal restrictions will aversely effect innovation, even going so far as to name auto, tech and insurance companies as “collateral damage” in this fight.

While DRIVE’s stance on increasing driver education is a noble one, their assertion that legislation hurts their respective industries seems a bit misguided. What is hurting their industry is the vast and expanding number of deaths caused by distracted driving each year. The solution should not be to fight legislation, but innovate and provide new ways for people to interact with their devices in a safe way.

We are starting to see such innovation happening. ZoomSafer provides the ability to suppress calls and texts with the added benefit of offering policy management and monitoring capabilities to companies and fleet managers, minimizing risk and liability. The upcoming DROID X from Motorola features a driving mode that will automatically activate when one puts it into a car dock. Ford has rolled out SYNC, which incorporates voice activation into their vehicles.

These are all solutions that not only address the problem but also encourage innovation and increase productivity for business and individuals. DRIVE can complain all they want but the legislation is coming, rightly so. If they don’t find ways to comply with these laws, like most individuals and businesses are doing, they may find themselves left behind.

New Study Shows Employees Won't Stop Texting on Their Own

Mike H — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:24:45 +0000

The last few days have seen a lot of media attention about the new study from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, which found adults to be even worse distracted drivers than the teens they so often express concern about. You can find the details here but the basic gist of it is that about half of all texting adults have sent or read texts while driving.

So what does that mean for a company concerned about the risks brought on by texting employees? Well, it probably means that your employees are doing it, for one. Or at least half of them are and that’s bad enough.

But that’s not all this study tells us. If we take into consideration another survey that shows nine out of ten adults believe that texting and emailing while driving is dangerous, we are faced with a larger question: why are adults still texting and driving if they know how bad it is?

Well, the “why” behind this can be debated endlessly; attributed to a risk-tolerant society or today’s demand to always stay connected or even chemical addiction in the user’s brain. But regardless of the reason, the fact is plain enough: few people are going to stop distracted driving by their own self control.

Paper policies may threaten disciplinary action of one kind or another but then again, dangerous driving can threaten the lives of loved ones and even that is clearly not enough to stop adult texters. To truly enforce safe driving and reduce the employer’s liability, we need a better solution.

This is the problem that we’ve set out to address from the beginning at ZoomSafer; we always begin talking about our product by saying two things: 1) There’s an increasing problem of drivers texting and emailing and using their phones while behind the wheel and 2) People cannot and will not stop this on their own. Software like our application can step in and force us all to prevent distracted driving when our own self-control is not enough.

It’s good news that this Pew study has finally blown the cover off the myth that adults are less likely to text while driving because they better understand its dangers. Employers need to understand the implications of this data: paper policies will not be enough to stop this dangerous and expensive trend.

LinkedIn Ups Its Game with Mobile App, New Groups Feature

Eleanor J — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:18:11 +0000

Twitter and Facebook usually get all the hype due their size and ubiquity, but this week, the spotlight's on professional networking service LinkedIn.

Earlier this week, the site announced it has reached the milestone of 70 million users, adding 10 million members since February. Though that's still a fraction of Facebook's 400 million-strong user base, Leena Rao notes on TechCrunch that there's "a tremendous amount of potential to use the data the network has on its side to add additional functionality to both users and companies". In fact, LinkedIn looks to be taking its cues from recent changes Facebook has implemented, giving its Groups function a make-over.

LinkedIn promises that the changes it is making will advance the "democratization of discussions", by allowing group members to comment on and "like" conversations and highlighting the individuals the site identifies to be "top influencers" responsible for generating the most activity. LinkedIn is taking cues from Twitter, too, with a new 'follow' function - users can select individual group members to follow and receive an email alert every time that individual makes a contribution to the group. By judging influence based on reactions from other site users, LinkedIn has effectively set up a check on its Groups being hijacked by bombastic super-users.

Lest these changes make you suspect that LinkedIn is abandoning its professional credentials in favor of hopping in the social media sandbox, there are plenty of indicators showing that LinkedIn is staying true to its professional/B2B roots. In March, the site made its first BlackBerry app available, with Storm and Pearl-comptaible versions released earlier this month. Again following the blueprint assembled by Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn's decision to offer a mobile app enabled its users to enjoy uninterrupted (except for when driving, of course) access to their professional networks - absolutely necessary for the demands and needs of modern business.

Additionally, Harry Gold lists eight new media advertising opportunities LinkedIn offers, such as upgraded company profiles, targeted PPC DirectAds, and Answers category sponsorship, that enable companies to "accurately target professionals by job titles, verticals, or even horizontals". Given the site's fundamental networking component, LinkedIn's ability to parse its users' data and activity could add significant value. Third behind Facebook ($11.5 bn) and Twitter ($1.4bn), LinkedIn has a SharesPost suggested value of $1.3 bn.

LinkedIn may be third-in-line to the social media throne - but it has clearly staked its claim on providing a personally fulfilling and commercially useful experience for online professional networking.

Straight from the source: watch the video below for a quick introduction to LinkedIn Groups' new features.

New GHSA Report Sees States Diversifying Efforts to Prevent Distracted Driving

Eleanor J — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:42:03 +0000

On Tuesday, June 15, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) issued a new report on states' efforts to prevent distracted driving, "Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs". According to a GHSA press release, the report surveyed highway safety agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam and surfaced seven key findings:

Distracted driving has emerged as a priority for state highway safety agencies
States have improved data collection efforts
States are educating new drivers about distraction
States have been passing a variety of distracted driving laws
States are emphasizing public education
Public/private partnerships are increasing
States are using new technology to educate motorists

Despite evidence that states are stepping up their efforts, GHSA acknowledges that the fight is far from over. In the release, GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey, Jr. called for states to continue their efforts to create a comprehensive solution to the probelm of distracted driving. Betkey said, "We know from our experiences with drunk driving and seat belt use that there is no magic bullet, and the same holds true with distracted driving."

This is an important acknowledgement. Distracted driving is a complicated behavioral issue which demands an equally complex solution. Large-scale behavioral modification will not come through the implementation of legislation alone. A holistic approach combining legislation with education and technology will more effectively alter people's opinions and subsequently their driving habits. In 2008, for example, NHTSA joined two messaging platforms in an effort to reduce drunk driving during the Fourth of July holiday. The first, "Buzzed driving is drunk driving," focused on social norming and the second, "Over the limit, under arrest," focused on enforcement. The former made clear that as a society, there are behaviors we simply will not tolerate, while the second emphasized that committing such taboo behavior will result in punishment.

The third leg of social norming/education and legislation/enforcement is technology. GHSA's release made clear that states are exhibiting a "growing reliance on new media" to spread the message. Where in 2008, safety organizations aired television PSAs, now those videos are earning hits on YouTube.

Likewise, many state DOTs are following Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's example (@RayLaHood) and signing up for their own Twitter accounts to better communicate with the public.

Middle Schoolers Design Text Jammer to Combat Distracted Driving

Sam D — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:14:07 +0000

A group of middle schoolers in Buck County, PA have devised TEXTerminator, an automobile device that will shut down a user's phone in order to prevent distracted driving. The TEXTerminator would use electronic signaling to block a phone's texting functions after the phone has been specially programmed. Two Subaru engineers advised the student team on design and electronics.

The students are taking part in a contest from the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation in which middle school students come up with scientific solutions to a problem. They will present a possible prototype of their product and give a multimedia presentation in which they will discuss the effects of texting while driving. Although the students' work is impressive, there are some issues with their solution. Blocking cell phone signals is illegal in the U.S. under the Communications Act of 1934.; the FCC considers it "theft of the airwaves". That doesn't stop people from doing it, however,

One of the students, Isabella DeLuca, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that her team chose the issue of distracted driving because "it affects the most people and can help families and save lives."

As 13-year-old Alyssa Sullivan put it, "I think you'd rather have your phone shut off than be dead in a car accident.

Experts Gather to Explore Distracted Driving Liability and Technology Trends

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:32:36 +0000

ZoomSafer Hosts Free Webinar on June 15, 2010 at 1:00pm

Reston, VA –According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on-the-job vehicular crashes cost businesses an average of $24,500 per crash, $150,000 per injury, and $3.6 million per fatality. Experts believe these costs will increase in the coming years due to new distracted driving legislation and increased law suits filed against companies who fail to proactively monitor and manage employee use of mobile phones while driving.

ZoomSafer, the leading provider of corporate policy management software to prevent distracted driving, is hosting the webinar “Distracted Driving: Understanding Your Corporate Risk and What to Do About It” at 1:00pm EST on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. The webinar will include a live demonstration of FleetSafer, ZoomSafer’s innovative safe driving solution, plus expert commentary and analysis from Clem Driscoll, CEO of C.J. Driscoll and Associates and Kristin Verderame, CEO of Pondera International and former Chief Counsel for a Fortune 500 company.

Interested individuals are encouraged to register now. For those not able to attend, a recording of the webinar will be available at www.fleetsafer.com.

About ZoomSafer
ZoomSafer is a leading provider of software for mobile phones to prevent distracted driving. Designed specifically for corporate customers, FleetSafer enables employers to proactively enforce cell phone usage policies to reduce crashes, risk and liability. For more information, please visit www.fleetsafer.com or www.zoomsafer.com.

Are You Ready to Drop Your BlackBerry for a New iPhone?

Eleanor J — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:51:06 +0000

Normally, we tend to keep things on this blog very BlackBerry-centric, which should come as no surprise to most readers (hint: we say so in our name). That said, last week's unveiling of the new iPhone 4 and accompanying iOS made serious waves and made us wonder - does the new iPhone turn your head?

There are definitely some major positives to the newest version of the iPhone. It's thinner, it's got double cameras (possibly redundant) and double microphones for noise cancellation. The new stainless steel case visually positions it in the same Apple product family as the Macbook Pro and Air series, Apple's most professional and cutting edge laptops.

On the other hand, right now is possibly the worst time to release a new, data-hungry mobile device. Experts are speculating that the World Cup could seriously disrupt wireless networks as more and more fans tune in to the tournament via their mobile phones and other devices. Amy Gahran writes on CNN.com:

"If a large contingent of mobile customers suddenly develops a huge appetite for mobile video, that can overload the network and cause problems for all mobile network users. Mobile video doesn't travel along a separate network. "

June 24, the date AT&T will make the iPhone 4 available in the U.S., is smack-dab in the middle of the World Cup, which runs from June 11 through July 11.

What do you think? Is the iPhone's newest iteration enough to make you switch from RIM to Apple? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Distracted Driving Prevention Act Gains Momentum with NSC Support

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:07:38 +0000

The National Safety Council has officially backed the Distracted Driving Prevention Act, per a press releaseissued June 8th.

The Distracted Driving Prevention Act allows the Secretary of Transportation to give money to states that have laws that prohibit texting and using handheld cellphones while driving. There are currently 28 states that have adopted such laws. Once promised a federal grant, all other states should be soon to follow.

The act also directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch a national distracted driving education program.

This is great news, but we are wondering why the states need all the extra enticement to get these laws passed. The NSC called for a national ban on cell phone use while driving over a year ago. With the current injury rate at over $150,000 per year, what's taking so long?

ZoomSafer Partners with Walsh Wireless to Prevent Distracted Driving

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:53:15 +0000

Combines Policy Management Software with Vehicle Telematics for Risk Reduction

Reston, VA –ZoomSafer, the leading provider of policy management software to prevent distracted driving, and Walsh Wireless, a leading provider of wireless technology solutions for corporate customers, announced a partnership yesterday to deliver innovative software solutions to help corporate managers proactively enforce cell phone usage policies and minimize business liability.

The partnership uniquely combines ZoomSafer’s FleetSafer policy management software with Walsh Wireless’ easy-to-use DataLogger, a telematics device that gives corporate fleet managers the means to wirelessly monitor the performance of a vehicle, its location and the driver's behavior in real-time.

As a result of the partnership, when an employee equipped with a FleetSafer-enabled smartphone starts a company-owned vehicle equipped with a Walsh Wireless DataLogger, the employee’s phone will automatically enter into safe driving mode. Before the vehicle is even in motion, the dangerous temptation to text or email will be eliminated, protecting the employer from expensive risk and liability.

"Today's businesses are aware of the swiftly increasing risks associated with distracted driving, and many are enacting policies to manage cell phone use while driving," said Matt Howard, CEO of ZoomSafer. "FleetSafer for business gives Walsh Wireless the means to enhance the value of its Walsh DataLogger solution, enabling corporate customers to minimize liability by proactively encouraging employee motorists to use their mobile phones in safe, legal and responsible ways."

"We are excited for the opportunity to integrate FleetSafer with our Walsh Datalogger," said Chick Walsh, Chief Strategy Officer of Walsh Wireless. "FleetSafer is a critical application, which enables our customers to prevent employees from texting and emailing while driving, ensuring hands-free use of phones. The Walsh Datalogger has been designed to add applications for GPS software, driver scoring software and now ZoomSafer software."

For more details, visit Walsh Wireless and ZoomSafer in Booth 26 at the Telematics Detroit 2010 Conference, Exhibition & Awards, in Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, MI, June 8-9.

About Walsh Wireless Solutions
Walsh Wireless Solutions, a leading wireless solutions innovator and exclusive Sprint partner, is uniquely positioned to deliver comprehensive wireless solutions packages that are custom-tailored to address the individual needs and remedy customers' points of disadvantage. For more about Walsh Wireless and the 5 Star Experience, visit www.walshwireless.com.