Frankly, we were alarmed at the news story regarding two airline pilots who overshot their destination by 150 miles and were out of communication for 1.5 hours, allegedly (and against company policy) because they were diddling with laptops rather than deploying landing gear. So, what’s to keep pilot and co-pilot from whipping out their iPhones for a wicked round of dueling apps when they should be checking other instruments? Scary thought, for air travelers.

Transportation secretary Ray LaHood likewise takes a dim view of distracted navigators: “Any kind of distraction, whether it’s trains, planes or automobiles is a distraction and we should figure out ways to get these cell phones, the texting, … and the use of laptops out of the hands of people who are supposed to be delivering the public … somewhere safely.”

That’s not a lot for the public to expect. Don’t we deserve to be ferried about safely? Shouldn’t we rest assured that we’re in good hands and under watchful eyes? I’m not being facetious when I say, “Too bad the cockpit wasn’t equipped with a SafeDrive MiniDVR.” This new windshield-mounted mobile DVR is helping our clients in other mobile industries monitor and record what’s going on outside the windshield and inside the vehicle cabin.

Scary but true: Careless or distracted drivers are putting personnel, property, and the public in peril. But that’s where we come in. Our onboard cameras and mobile DVRs may deter unsafe driving en route; and when such behaviors are detected, fleet owners can work with their drivers to modify bad habits. Meanwhile, we encourage all drivers–professional and private–to “Pocket it ’til you park it!”

Drive safe; live safe!