Amy Parmenter
Public Affairs Manager, CT
O: (860) 570-4319
C: (860) 965-6161
aparmenter@AAA-AlliedGroup.com
AAA: 'Infotainment', Navigation Systems Headed in Wrong Direction
Newest Systems May Distract Drivers More than 40 Seconds
Connecticut Poll: Men More Distracted by In-Vehicle Tech than Women
Some of the latest in-vehicle technologies, like voice or touch-screen navigation, may distract drivers for more than 40 seconds.
This, just one of the disturbing findings of a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety thatmeasured and compared the distraction caused by infotainment systems in 30 new vehicles. While some of the infotainment systems scored better than others, researchers found none to be acceptable and more than two-thirds tested as ‘highly’ distracting. (Here's a fact sheet with KEY FINDINGS)
“With one in three US adults using infotainment systems while driving, this research serves as a disturbing reminder that phones are not the only technology putting us at risk” says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford. “The findings about navigation systems in particular clearly indicate that, when it comes to limiting distractions, we are going in the wrong direction”.
Researchers found programming navigation to be the most distracting task compared to, for instance, using voice or touch screen to make a call or send a text.
Distracted Driving in Connecticut
In conjunction with this new research, a AAA poll of drivers across Connecticut found almost 40 percent admit they’ve been distracted by technology while driving and men admit to being distracted by it far more often that women. (48% men, 32% women). The poll also found that men tend to use technology more often for directions (navigation) as compared to women who use technology more often to make a call.
The AAA Foundation Study
AAA has conducted this new research to help automakers and system designers improve the functionality of new infotainment systems and the demand they place on drivers.
“Some in-vehicle technology can create unsafe situations for drivers on the road by increasing the time they spend with their eyes and attention off the road and hands off the wheel,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “When in-vehicle technology is not properly designed, simple tasks for drivers can become complicated and require more effort to complete.”
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety commissioned researchers from the University of Utah to examine the visual (eyes off road) and cognitive (mental) demand as well as the time it took drivers to complete a task using the infotainment systems in 30 new 2017 vehicles. Study participants were required to use voice command, touch screen and other interactive technologies to make a call, send a text message, tune the radio or program navigation, all while driving down the road.
Programming navigation, the most distracting task, took an average of 40 seconds for drivers to complete.When driving at 25 mph, a driver can travel the length of four football fields during the time it could take to enter a destination in navigation—all while distracted from the important task of driving.
Programming navigation while driving was available in 12 of the 30 vehicle systems tested.
None of the 30 vehicle infotainment systems produced low demand, while 23 systems generated high or very high levels of demand on drivers:
-
12 systems generated very high demand
-
11 systems generated high demand
-
7 systems generated moderate demand
Follow us on Twitter: @AAAHartfordNews
CT Mailing Address:
815 Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06119
AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Connecticut. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.
Related Articles
Tracy Noble
Public Relations Manager, NJ
O: (609) 570-4131
C: (609) 306-2523
tnoble@aaamidatlantic.com