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

To Prevent Distracted Driving, New App Distracts Drivers

The new dash-mounted technology system Navdy proposes making texting while driving easier. Image: Navdy
The new windshield display system Navdy aims to make texting while driving easier. Image: Navdy
false

The new "heads-up" display system Navdy "feels like driving in the future," according to its producers. The dash-mounted projector displays images from your phone on your windshield. The idea is that you can text and drive while keeping your eyes focused in the right direction. "No more looking down to fumble with knobs, buttons or touch screens," goes the pitch.

James Sinclair at Stop and Move is not impressed:

What the product does is project information from your phone onto your windshield. Some of that information is relevant to driving, such as map navigation, and possibly in the future parking information from SF Park. The rest? Not so much.

Apparently driving is so boring that drivers cannot resist texting and checking emails for the duration of their trip. Navdy comes to the rescue by blowing up your text messages onto your windshield so you don't have to deal with the monotony of driving by instead engaging in a titillating text-based conversation.

The worst part is that this group of entrepreneurs is trying to pitch this as a way to PREVENT distracted driving. Their reasoning is that drivers won't be looking down at their laps, but will continue to look forward. Their video says "you need your eyes in front of you - you need Navdy." Problem is, that's not how distraction works.

When we're focused on reading text, the world in the background may TECHNICALLY continue to be perfectly clear (as our eyes aren't limited in focusing like cameras are), but that doesn't mean our brain is processing it. In reality, it's just as blurred because we've stopped paying attention to everything but the text. Go ahead, look at the image above and read the message - that's all you really see.

Elsewhere on the Streetsblog Network today: Human Transit says frequent transit networks should be a key tool in improving access to healthy food. The Dallas Morning News Transportation Blog reports that the Dallas airport is now connected to rail. And Pedestrian Observations explores the relationship between between restrictive zoning and housing affordability.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

OPINION: I Led the Campaign To Get Cars Out Of Central Park, But I Strongly Oppose an E-Bike Ban

People now calling for a ban on e-bikes seem to forget what the park was like before cars were banned. It was way worse.

December 17, 2025

The Real Reason America Can’t Have The Tiny Japanese-Style Cars Trump Says He Wants

Trump is right that kei cars are super-kawaii — but he's wrong that clearing the regulatory decks is enough to bring them to U.S. shores.

December 17, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Another Record Edition

The DOT built a record number of protected bike lanes between 2022 and 2024, the agency boasted yesterday. But it pales by comparison to what the agency was legally required to build. Plus other news.

December 17, 2025

Mamdani’s Free Buses Plan Faces ‘Uphill Battle’ in Albany

The fight over free buses could be an early barometer of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Hochul's ability to compromise.

December 16, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: The Public Realm Edition

Renewed calls for a Deputy Mayor for the Public Realm. Plus other news.

December 16, 2025
See all posts