The Necessity of Phone Lines and GPS for Interstate Highways

The debate over whether a phone line and GPS should be mandatory for vehicles on interstate highways is complex, involving considerations of safety, convenience, and civil liberties. While phone lines and GPS devices serve as useful tools, their necessity as mandatory equipment on interstates is a topic of ongoing discussion.

Can We Do Without Phone Lines?

While it is true that phone lines would be impractical for each vehicle on an interstate highway, the question of whether a phone line should be mandatory for all drivers is worthy of consideration. Dragging hundreds of kilometers of wire behind each car would certainly be inconvenient and could lead to significant safety hazards or traffic congestion. Moreover, the likelihood of another driver reaching for their phone to call for help makes this a less compelling argument for mandatory phone lines.

GPS: A Useful Tool, Not a Necessity

GPS systems are indeed valuable tools, particularly for drivers who rely on detailed navigation information. However, it is also argued that GPS alone is not essential, as it furnishes information that most drivers already have. For instance, drivers can usually determine their speed and position based on observation and landmarks. Therefore, mandating GPS as a requirement on interstates may not be the most effective approach to enhancing road safety.

Proposed Solutions

One possible solution could involve the implementation of a technology that relays speed and position data to a central computer. This system could potentially record traffic violations with precision and significantly reduce the instances of speed limit breaking. However, such a system could also be seen as an invasion of privacy, as it would monitor and store personal driving data.

Considerations for the Future

Another suggestion could be the mandatory installation of dashcams on all vehicles operating on interstate highways. Dashcams can capture critical details in accident scenarios, ensuring that the facts are clear and undisputable. By improving transparency and objectivity, dashcams could streamline legal proceedings and produce fairer outcomes in traffic disputes.

Conclusion

While a phone line and GPS are indeed beneficial tools, their mandatory installation on all vehicles on interstate highways may not be necessary. Instead, a thoughtful examination of alternative solutions, such as dashcams or innovative technology that monitors traffic data, might provide a more balanced and effective approach to road safety and civil liberties.