Peggy Smedley Show

Peggy talks about how technology can help with distracted driving, sharing some examples. She talks about the opportunities to improve our behavior in the car, all with the help of new technologies.

She also discusses:

How many drivers report being distracted by their personal mobile devices. Three technologies that can help. Her thoughts on what needs to happen next to reduce the number of deaths on the road.

peggysmedleyshow.com 

(4/29/25 - 918)

What You Might Have Missed: 

Autonomous Vehicles and Distracted Driving

Road Safety for the Future

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Peggy Smedley and Julia Kite-Laidlaw, senior program manager, Road To Zero, National Safety Council, talk about how prevalent distracted driving is today. She says new data out reports that 3,275 people died in distraction-related crashes in 2023, which is 8% of all road deaths in the United States, and if you do the math it comes to about nine people per day. 

They also discuss:

Who is really responsible for safety in cars. Regulations and the impact they have on distracted driving. How Minnesota is using AI to address distracted driving.

nsc.org 

(4/29/25 - 918)

Wh...

Peggy Smedley and Mehri Mohebbi, program director, Transportation Equity Program, University of Florida Transportation Institute, discuss distracted driving risk from an equity perspective, sharing which populations are at the most risk for injuries. She says generally the numbers at the federal level hid the sharp local spike, and in low-income corridors, phone-related crashes cluster 40% above the metro average.

They also discuss:

Two specific examples of roadway design and how it can help us. The importance of training programs/exercises and audits. Key lessons learned and going to the next level.

transportation.institute.ufl.edu 

Peggy talks about what the insurance companies and other organizations have to say about the impact of distracted driving on auto insurance. She says it is not very consistent across the board, with different states taking different actions and different insurance companies having different tools and resources available.

She also discusses:

The total estimated cost of all motor vehicle crashes in the United States—and how much distracted driving accounts for. The rules surrounding texting and driving from state to state, with a closer look at one state as an example. What the insurance companies are sa...

Peggy Smedley and Paul Atchley, professor, Dept. of Psychology, University of South Florida, talk about some of the latest news on traffic statistics and the role distracted driving is playing in these numbers. He says the statistics change year over year, but the trends have not been positive.

They also discuss:

Why people continue to engage in these behaviors even though they will tell you these behaviors are very risky. Distracted driving trends by region during the pandemic and what happens after fatal accidents occur. Examples of safety records of companies that prohibit drivers from using...

Peggy Smedley and Dan McGehee, professor of engineering, medicine, public health and director of the Driving Safety Research Institute, University of Iowa, talk about distracted driving research. He says it is an important thing more than ever.

They also discuss:

The history of distracted driving in vehicles. The physiological changes that happen with smartphones. The most dangerous type of distraction and who is ultimately responsible.

dsri.uiowa.edu 

(4/22/25 - 917)

What You Might Have Missed: 

The Reality of Distracted Driving in 2025

Reducing Distraction

The State of Di...

The market is changing! Peggy talks about everything we need to know for supply chains. She says we must make, build, and grow together, while also innovating and considering how the next generation will lead the way.

She also discusses:

A historical perspective. Present-day data. How supply chains can prepare for a stronger tomorrow.

peggysmedleyshow.com 

(4/15/25 - 916)

What You Might Have Missed:

The Impact of Tariffs on Construction

Insights on Home and Material Costs

Steel: A More Resilient Future

IoT, Internet of Things, P...

Peggy Smedley and Despina Stavrinos, director, Institute for Social Science Research, chief human factors research and development officer, Alabama Transportation Institute and professor of psychology, The University of Alabama, unpack the science behind distracted driving. She says when we look at the number 1 contributing factor to distracted driving, it is driver behavior.

They also discuss:

The research done in the TRIP (translational research injury prevention) lab. How simulators can understand what drivers are doing and thinking. Why texting is one of the most dangerous things you can do while driving.

ati.ua.edu

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Peggy Smedley and Elad Inbar, founder and CEO, RobotLAB and author, Our Robotics Future, talk about robotics and a book that can serve as a guide for business owners looking to embed robotics into their business. He says robots are very mission specific. He also shares the reason business owners are automating tasks.

They also discuss:

The topic of robots potentially replacing humans. The impact of the widening labor gap and the industries impacted. The opportunities robots provide—and the transition timeline we can expect.

RobotLAB.com 

(4/15/25 - 916)

What You Might Hav...

Peggy talks about the impact of the IoT (Internet of Things) on the manufacturing industry, sharing the opportunities that exist to transform business. She explains how manufacturers can best prepare for what comes next.

She also discusses:

What challenges exist in manufacturing today that technology can help solve. How many industrial manufacturers globally are planning to increase their technology investment by 20% or more in the coming years. Key questions manufacturers need to be asking when aligning people, process, and technology.

peggysmedleyshow.com 

(4/15/25 - 915)

IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, m...