Study of OnStar Calls Reveals That its Embedded Cell Phones are Safe

    WARREN, Mich., Aug. 22 An unprecedented study, conducted
as part of General Motors' "SenseAble driving" program (a $10 million, multi-
year effort to address driver distraction), reveals that the embedded cellular
phone used in GM's OnStar system has had an outstanding safety performance
record since it was initiated five years ago.

    The study is the world's first analysis of a database that has extensive
and actual -- not estimated -- information about whether a crash occurred at
the same time a cell phone was in use.  This database, maintained by GM's
OnStar subsidiary, consists of automated information with time stamps that
show exactly when a cell phone voice call was initiated and when the OnStar
advisor was in contact with a vehicle after an airbag deployment.  In keeping
with OnStar's privacy policy, no personally identifiable information was made
available to researchers.

    Previous studies that have attempted to associate cell phone use with
crashes -- including a much-publicized 1997 University of Toronto report --
could use only small statistical samples and estimates of when calls were made
in relation to a crash.

    Using the actual OnStar data, the GM study concludes that an air bag
deployment crash associated with the use of OnStar's embedded phone system was
rare, and that the chance an embedded cell phone actually caused a crash was
even more rare.

    Here are the facts:  During only two of the 8.1 million embedded cell
phone calls placed to an OnStar Call Center advisor from October 1996 (when
OnStar was introduced) through May 2000 was a driver known to be on the phone
at the time of a crash severe enough to deploy the vehicle's air bags.  There
is no evidence that the calls actively contributed to the crashes; in fact, an
examination of underlying records indicated that there were other factors at
play in both crashes.  In six other cases, in adopting the same kind of
research methodology used in the University of Toronto study, it was
determined that the driver was on the phone within 10 minutes before a crash
that deployed the air bags.  Again, there was no evidence to suggest that the
calls were related to the subsequent crashes.

    The OnStar/"SenseAble driving" study was conducted by Richard A. Young,
Ph.D., a GM staff research scientist.  Young presented his findings to a group
of fellow human factors scientists last week in Colorado.

    The study covered only embedded cell phone calls placed from OnStar-
equipped GM vehicles to an OnStar advisor.  In addition, only crashes in which
the air bag deployed, resulting in an automatic phone call to the OnStar Call
Center, were examined.  "We already knew from our research and thousands of
customers' testimonials that OnStar enhances vehicle safety and security,"
said Chet Huber, president of OnStar, in announcing the findings.  "This study
confirms that our customers can safely use the embedded cell phone technology
of OnStar.  From the beginning, OnStar's unique three-button system was
designed with safety as a priority."

    OnStar, a wholly owned GM subsidiary, is the industry's leading provider
of in-vehicle safety, security and information services and is completely
integrated into the vehicle.  OnStar uses the Global Positioning System (GPS)
satellite network and cellular technology to link vehicle and driver to the
OnStar Center.  OnStar is currently available in 1.5 million vehicles
representing 36 of GM's 54 brands.

    GM has led the industry in the effort to study and address driver
distraction.  "SenseAble driving," a three-pronged safety initiative combining
research, education and technology, was launched in October 2000.  Aside from
its research initiative, GM was the world's first and only automaker to
establish a set of common-sense "guiding principles" to govern the design and
use of telematics technology in its vehicles.

    In addition, GM has established a pilot program with the Michigan
Secretary of State's office to educate drivers about the risks of distracted
driving with brochures, posters and a video that are being offered to vehicle
registrars' offices nationwide.  Another part of the education initiative is
GM's Driver Distraction Demonstration (D3), a fun, interactive computer
exercise that shows users first-hand the risks of multi-tasking while driving
and the need to make sensible choices.  D3, as well as other information on
"SenseAble driving," can be found at http://www.senseabledriving.com and
http://www.gmability.com .