• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, February 27, 2002

DUI Now Means Talkers

On the assumption that "telematics" has to do with mobile phone usage, this should be of interest to those who talk and drive. According to a February 2002 report from GartnerG2, 80% of US consumers are scared that automobile drivers who drive while using their cellphone will cause accidents. Interestingly, although 59% of consumers say they are concerned that other drivers using a mobile phone might cause an accident, only 30% "strongly agree" that they themselves get distracted when they drive and talk on a mobile phone.

US Consumer Driving With Phones	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
Other drivers using phone might cause accident	59%	26%	10%	5%
It distracts me to use phone and drive	30%	26%	22%	22%
It distracts me to drive and talk to passenger	6%	15%	34%	46%

Source: GartnerG2, Jan 2002

Gartner also reports that in terms of automobile telematics, 57% of consumers think that everyone in a car should have access to the car's telematics, but the driver should be in control. Another 24% think the driver should be the only one in a car with access to the telematics.

For a greater perspective on the US telematics market, Parks Associates estimates that the automobile telematics market will grow from $2.7 billion in 2001 to $10.7 billion in 2005. Similarly, Allied Business Intelligence estimates that the US telematics market for personal vehicles will grow to $13 billion in 2006. Global Vehicle Telematics Estimate 2001 $3 billion 2006 $13 billion Source: Allied Business Intelligence