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New vehicle infotainment systems can take drivers' eyes and attention off the road and hands off the wheel for dangerous periods of time, according to new 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.
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 an in-vehicle technology is not properly designed, simple tasks for drivers can become complicated and require more effort from drivers to complete."
Does keeping your eyes on the road really matter when traffic is stand-still anyway?
(Score: 3, Informative) by Phoenix666 on Thursday October 05 2017, @08:00PM
It's an argument against honking in a dense urban environment, because different circumstances call for different behaviors, yes? In Seattle it's not a problem for a pedestrian to stop abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk, because no one walks. In NYC, doing that will result in the 10 people following in your footsteps colliding with you. In NYC walking around with your pants hanging down and your underwear flapping in the breeze won't get a second glance, but in small town Idaho somebody will tell you to pull your damn pants up.
Washington DC delenda est.