Car touch screens: Operations that Pose Potential Hazards on the Road
Modern In-Car Entertainment Systems: A Cause for Concern
Modern in-car entertainment systems, which offer a wide range of features such as live messaging, streaming, calendar integration, and voice-activated commands, have come under scrutiny due to their potential to distract drivers.
While these systems aim to provide convenience and reduce the need for handheld device use, their complexity demands considerable cognitive attention. This attention diversion impairs reaction times and situational awareness, posing a significant risk to driving safety.
Research shows that engaging in conversations or interacting with infotainment technology can multiply crash risk by 2-6 times when drivers perform secondary cognitive tasks [3][4]. Even voice commands, while reducing manual and visual distraction, can still cause high levels of cognitive distraction due to the mental effort required for processing information or issuing commands.
Despite these concerns, there is no clear evidence of widespread moves by automakers to simplify their infotainment systems. Instead, the trend has been towards adding more features and integrations to meet consumer demand for connectivity and convenience [1].
Experts argue for clearer regulatory policy, better enforcement, and public education to mitigate these risks. Some advocate for redesigning interfaces for simplicity and lower cognitive load, but commercial pressures and technological trends complicate these efforts.
In Europe, there is no current demand for cars with only necessary functions and simplest operation. In Germany, during a Roadpol action in Saxony-Anhalt, police checked approximately 6,900 vehicles and found 230 violations related to distracted driving.
Meanwhile, in China, the future of driving is a topic of debate, with a focus on the technological advancements being made there. The trend in China is towards more technology in cars, including cars with karaoke functions.
Volkswagen has admitted that focusing on touchscreens was a mistake, and plans to reinstall more buttons in response to concerns about distraction caused by touchscreens. The Association of the Automotive Industry stated that customer demand determines the equipment of cars.
In conclusion, modern infotainment systems introduce greater cognitive distractions than traditional car features, and while automakers emphasize hands-free and voice controls, significant distraction risks remain. There is growing recognition of the issue but no strong industry-wide shift yet toward simplifying systems to reduce distraction [1][4].
References:
[1] ADAC (2021). Infotainment systems: A distraction for drivers. Retrieved from https://www.adac.de/reise/auto/infotainment-systeme-eine-belastung-fur-den-lenker
[2] European Transport Safety Council (2020). In-car distractions: A growing concern in road safety. Retrieved from https://etsc.eu/resources/publications/in-car-distractions-a-growing-concern-in-road-safety.html
[3] Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (2013). Naturalistic driving study: Research report. Retrieved from https://vtpi.org/nds-research-report/
[4] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2019). Distracted driving: Understanding the problem. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
Cars equipped with advanced in-car entertainment systems, featuring technologies like karaoke functions in China, may contribute to an increased risk of distraction, as their complexity requires substantial cognitive attention, potentially leading to impaired reaction times and reduced situational awareness [3][4]. Conversely, the automotive industry appears to prioritize consumer demand for connectivity and convenience over safety concerns, with more features and integrations being added rather than simplifying systems to reduce distraction [1].
