Are we being driven to distraction by auto technology?
However, what of the distraction potential for drivers who are facing information overload in this brave new world of motoring?
An audience from motoring, road safety and other sectors came together today at the RDS in Dublin to hear two expert international speakers talk about how car technology is changing the role of the driver and how increasing levels of technology in the car can have a detrimental effect on drivers’ attention levels.
Associate Professor at the University of Leeds-based Institute for Transport Studies, Dr. Natasha Merat, who specialises in human machine interface (HMI) and driver behaviour highlighted the results of recent studies that have shown that once a driver’s primary attention is diverted by another information input, whether that be a mobile phone or a piece of technology within the car, the risk of an accident increases significantly.
Dr. Merat said: “Without a doubt, technology has contributed hugely to strides in improving road safety over the last number of decades, but we need to be careful that we don’t undo some of that progress by providing a dangerous level of information overload through the addition of a broad range of ‘attention-grabbing’ technologies inside the car”.
She added: “We know that younger, inexperienced drivers are particularly prone to distractions while driving whether they come from in-car distractions or external influences. And for both experienced and inexperienced drivers, the distraction level can increase significantly once other impairments come into play, e.g. when a driver is showing any signs of fatigue”.
It is important that we realise that the term ‘distraction’ encompasses more than just the ‘usual suspects’ of e.g. mobile phone, changing music on the sound system or mp3 player, and satnavs. Chimes and dashboard displays that warn about low fuel, lane departure warning / brake assist systems and best eco-driving behaviour, can all take their toll on the driver’s attention. The challenge for car makers is to ensure that all of these technologies work together to assist with the driving task, rather than distracting the driver’s attention.”
Gerry Murphy, Chairman, Irish Motoring Writers Association, said of the 2013 Automotive Forum: “The presentations from our keynote speakers were very interesting and we thank them for bringing the benefit of their expertise to the motoring public in Ireland. To answer the question that was our point of departure for the Forum, I think the driver is ultimately responsible for ensuring he or she manages and limits the distraction potential of technology and any other external influences that would divert their attention from the important task at hand”.
Tom Dennigan, of sponsor Continental Tyres, welcomed the forum as “a valuable event that helps to spread knowledge and promote discussion in relation to motoring and its wider implications for our society. Today’s debate was very much in keeping with that mission.”
