Road Safety in the Age of Mobile Phones: IoT and Milgram

In this position paper an approach to reducing road accidents caused by mobile phone use is presented. The use of recent technological advancements in IoT combined with the outcomes of the famous 1963 Milgram experiment focusing on the conflict between obedience to authority and personal conscience is presented. High-risk driving contributes to over 75% of deaths in some countries due to the behavior of the driver. This paper considers the use of a mobile phone causing inattention while driving as a prime risk. Measures by road safety agencies have included the use of high-tech cameras which can detect the use of mobile device. Cost limitations prevent agencies from providing ubiquitous coverage of these devices. This position paper argues that the automotive and mobile devices industries need to play a role to support the road safety agencies. Furthermore, a novel approach to smart road safety using IoT, micro-location and geo-fencing is proposed which discourages mobile phone use and provides a foundation for future research. Recent studies and technological advancements which contribute to aspects of this solution are highlighted in this paper. Finally the approach proposes new standards to be established between vehicle and mobile device manufacturers for a smarter resolution.