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WASHINGTON, D. C. (Thursday, October 5, 2017) –– New vehicle infotainment systems take drivers’ eyes and attention off the road and hands off the wheel for potentially dangerous periods of time, according to new observational research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Drivers using in-vehicle technologies like voice-based and touch screen features were visually and mentally distracted for more than 40 seconds when completing tasks like programming navigation or sending a text message. Removing eyes from the road for just two seconds doubles the risk for a crash, according to previous research. With one in three U.S. adults using infotainment systems while driving, AAA cautions that using these technologies while behind the wheel can have dangerous consequences.

The research found that some automobile voice command technology produces high levels of distraction in drivers. For this reason, AAA advises it is wiser and safer if they refrain from programming electronic devices for directions while behind the wheel, unless it’s an emergency. Yet four out of ten drivers residing in the nation’s capital have used the in-vehicle technology to perform communication tasks while driving, according to polling conducted by AAA Mid-Atlantic. The local AAA polling data also found 38 percent of respondents confessed to being so distracted by technology that it put themselves or others at risks.

“To combat the inherent dangers of distracted driving, 47 states and the District have passed laws banning texting while driving. Yet no state bans all cell phone use by all drivers. Few, if any, jurisdictions have overt sanctions against using navigation systems while driving, despite NHTSA guidelines addressing driver distraction caused by mobile and other electronic devices in vehicles,” said John B. Townsend II, Manager of Public and Government Affairs, AAA Mid-Atlantic. “A raft of research finds adjusting and inputting a destination into an in-vehicle navigation system while driving can degrade driving performance and divert the driver’s attention from the immediate task at hand. When using in-vehicle navigation system or other GPS devices, set the destination prior to driving and keep your eyes where they belong – on the road.”

The research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that programming a navigation system or sending a text message through some sophisticated and complex in-vehicle systems are potentially dangerous and can lead to reckless driving behind the wheel. AAA conducted this new research to help automakers and system designers improve the functionality of new infotainment systems and the demands 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 an in-vehicle technology is not properly designed, simple tasks for drivers can become complicated and require more effort from drivers 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.

In a separate exclusive survey conducted in September for AAA Mid-Atlantic by Public Policy Polling, 602 licensed drivers residing in Washington, D.C. were asked their opinions on their use of vehicle technology.

In the last two years, 44 percent of respondents reported having used or seen any voice command technology in a vehicle, to make a phone call, tune music, send a text or use a navigation system, with or without using a touchscreen. The remaining 56 percent reported not having done so. When asked which of the following in-vehicle tasks respondents had used voice command technology to complete, 50 percent of respondents said to make a phone call, 11 percent said to tune music, 8 percent said to send a text message, 14 percent said to operate a navigation system. The remaining 17 percent reported not using voice command technology for any of these tasks.

Knowing that the response would be anonymous and confidential, 38 percent of respondents reported being distracted by technology while driving that put themselves or others at risk while 53 percent of respondents report not having done so. The remaining 8 percent reported not being sure. The AAA Mid-Atlantic survey by Public Policy Polling was completed on September 25-26, 2017 has a margin of error is +/-4.0%.

According to AAA researchers, programming navigation was the most distracting task, taking 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 and 7 systems generated moderate demand.

All reports will available online at AAA.com/distraction for consumers and media on Thursday, October 5.

“Drivers want technology that is safe and easy to use, but many of the features added to infotainment systems today have resulted in overly complex and sometimes frustrating user experiences for drivers,” said Marshall Doney, AAA’s president and CEO.

Frustration resulting from unsatisfactory use of these systems increases cognitive demand and increases the potential for distracted driving. “AAA has met with interested auto manufacturers and suppliers to discuss our findings. We welcome the opportunity to meet with other interested parties to discuss the report’s recommendations and ways to mitigate driver distraction,” added Doney.

AAA also conducted a nationwide public opinion survey that found nearly 70 percent of adults say that they want the new technology in their vehicles, but only 24 percent of U.S. adults feel that the technology already works perfectly.  “Some of the latest systems on the market now include functions unrelated to the core task of driving like sending text messages, checking social media or surfing the web -- tasks we have no business doing behind the wheel,” continued Doney. “Automakers should aim to reduce distractions by designing systems that are no more visually or mentally demanding than listening to the radio or an audiobook. And drivers should avoid the temptation to engage with these technologies, especially for non-driving tasks.”

To ascertain this, researchers from the University of Utah developed an advanced rating scale to measure the visual (eyes off road) and cognitive (mental) demands and the time it took to complete a task experienced by drivers using each vehicle’s infotainment system. The scale ranged from low to very high levels of demand. A low level of demand equates to listening to the radio or an audiobook, while very high demand is equivalent to trying to balance a checkbook while driving. AAA believes a safe in-vehicle technology system should not exceed a low level of demand. 

Researchers found that most infotainment systems tested could easily be made safer by simply following clearly stated federal recommendations such as locking out text messaging, social media and programming navigation while the car is in motion. In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a set of voluntary safety guidelines advising automakers to block access to tasks when vehicles are not parked.

“These are solvable problems. By following NHTSA’s voluntary guidelines to lock out certain features that generate high demand while driving, automakers can significantly reduce distraction,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of Traffic Safety Advocacy & Research. “AAA cautions drivers that just because a technology is available while driving does not mean it is safe or easy to use when behind the wheel. Drivers should only use these technologies for legitimate emergencies or urgent, driving related purposes.”

A total of 120 drivers ages 21-36 participated in the study of 30 new 2017 model-year vehicles. The latest report is the fifth phase of distraction research from AAA’s Center for Driving Safety and Technology. The Center was created in 2013 with the goal of studying the safety implications for how drivers interact with new vehicle technologies when behind the wheel. Visit AAA.com/distraction to learn more.

About AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit, publicly funded, 501(c) (3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by conducting research into their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research is used to develop educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users. Visit www.AAAFoundation.org.

About AAA: As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 57 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, and find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. Find more information on AAA clubs at AAA.com.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  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  https://aaa.com