GM has announced the introduction of its new Marketplace, an in-car app that lets users shop and place orders via the touchscreen in their car. GM sees it as a safer alternative than using a phone, but the National Safety Council says that the Marketplace app will contribute to distracted driving.
GM is adding the Marketplace app to its 2017 and 2018 vehicles, which lets drivers shop at retailers, like Starbucks, TGI Friday’s, Priceline.com and Dunkin’ Donuts all via a few taps on the touchscreen in the center console. It may sound like a better idea than holding a phone while driving, but even if the driver isn’t technically holding a phone, the driver will still be distracted, according to National Safety Council President Deborah Hersman.
“There’s nothing about this that’s safe,” Hersman stated. “If this is why they want Wi-Fi in the car, we’re going to see fatality numbers go up even higher than they are now.”
General Motors says that the Marketplace app was designed in accordance with voluntary driver-distraction guidelines agreed to by car companies.
Source: Automotive News
