Outcry as car radio ads turn on to texting

Another sure distraction while driving, commercials sent to the text displays on VHF car radio sets, sometimes followed by a hotline number. A move that has provoked anger from safety advocates who warn that the commercials will be yet another unwanted distraction for drivers, according to the Sunday Herald.

"One Californian company which provides RDS content to more than a dozen stations has started selling “radio text” advertisements to music and film companies, as well as several mortgage lenders .

And North Carolina-based First Charter bank is to experiment this month with scrolling text to coincide with the airing of its adverts on commercial radio channels. Messages will include the text “Free gift” and “Call now”, followed by a hotline number."

emily | 5:35 PM | Cell Phones while driving/flying/sailing |
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