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2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8Safety advocates say in-car Internet access is yet another distraction for drivers

Many American’s really like to stay connected on the road to emails and the internet. This accounts for the high growth rate of devices like smartphones and the increasing demand for mobile internet access for notebook computers.

Passengers on American Airlines this week were able totest in-flight WiFi access to keep connected while on flights across the country. Many more people each year drive for business or pleasure and the idea ofinternet connectivity in a car is very appealing to many.

Chrysler believes that there is a market for in-car internet access over what we get now with our mobile phones and laptop broadband cards. A new option on some 2009 Chrysler vehicles is an UConnect Web service that basically turns your car into a rolling hotspot.

The optional will operate on a 3G network just like your laptop modem or smartphone. Exactly whose 3G network will be used and how much the service will cost is unknown. Chrysler hasn’t disclosed pricing, but according to the LA Times, Chrysler has said that a subscription fee would be attached as well as a cost for the option.

A spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Russ Rader said, “Stop already! Clearly this is a problem. Our cars are becoming just another place to catch up on calls and now e-mail, and that’s a real safety problem.”

Clearly safety advocates view this service as another distraction for drivers. Chrysler says that the web service is intended for use by passengers and intends the driver to only use the service when stopped. However, Chrysler does admit that there is no way to prevent driver’s form surfing the web and driving.

Download speeds on the service are not that great with a speed of only 600 to 800 kbps download and 200 kbps upload. Even if slow by today’s standards, web connectivity for all in a car would be welcome for car poolers looking to get ahead on a road trip or in traffic.