Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Ad Nauseam

Garmin: Chat, Navigate and Steer — But Don’t Drive Distracted

The first time I saw this ad I thought my eyes and ears were deceiving me. But no, there it is: a young woman holding a cellphone toward the camera as "nüvifone" maker Garmin beckons viewers to "communicate while navigating."

"With my nüvifone, I can take calls from my friends while I'm driving to them," she says as she's shown piloting an SUV with two passengers, one of whom accepts an incoming call on a phone mounted to the windshield. (Note to Garmin: Hands-free is not brain-free.)

Maybe the most egregious aspect is the "Do not drive while distracted" disclaimer -- which pops up as the young woman is depicted driving while distracted.

nuviphonegrab.jpg

What the ad doesn't show: The driver plows her SUV through one of the pedestrian-populated shots that follow, and bystanders whip out their nüvifones to call 911, text their friends and photograph the carnage.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Republican Signs On To Super Speeder Bill, After Defending Reckless Driving

A Brooklyn politican who defended speeding at a funeral for victims of traffic violence now supports preventative legislation.

November 24, 2025

Money for Something: Uber is Driving The Race for City Council Speaker

What does Uber expect to receive in return for $250,000 in donations to two Council Speaker candidates?

November 24, 2025

‘The Permanence Agenda’: Paint and Plastic Won’t Deliver Real Street Safety

DOT’s quick-build approach to redesigning streets with paint and other temporary materials has worked well enough — but Mayor-elect Mamdani should aim for permanence.

November 24, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Cartoon Bromance Edition

The president and the mayor were all smiles, but lots of Streetsbloggy topics were discussed in the Oval, as it turns out. Plus other news.

November 24, 2025

NIMBY-Mania: Middle Village Has a Love-Hate Relationship with the IBX

The idea of making it easier to reach Middle Village clearly put some Middle Villagers on edge.

November 23, 2025

Speaker Adams and DOT Are Eviscerating Daylighting Bill

Some are looking to the next mayor and Council to pass the life-saving measure.

November 21, 2025
See all posts