Infotainment Systems Increase Distracted Driving - St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

By Christopher Hoffmann  Oct. 13, 2017 12:35p

Most new vehicles come equipped with modern, multi-functional infotainment systems. While these infotainment systems seemingly improve the driving experience, they can also act as a huge distraction. According to a recent study conducted by AAA, the new infotainment systems in vehicles may distract drivers for very long periods of time.

Drivers that use infotainment systems’ touch screens and voice commands to program GPS were distracted for about 40 seconds on average. In that time, you can travel the length of four football fields traveling at 25 miles per hour.

According to a psychology professor at the University of Utah, tasks such as texting and navigation have high visual demand and they are also associated with high mental demand.

The professor further said that voice controlled systems and touch screens are allowing us to do many other things besides driving, however, the primary task should be to travel from one point to another safely. He thinks that a great amount of technology in the car is too demanding to use.

Of the 30 vehicle systems studied, as may as 23 required high or very high demand on drivers to operate. Here is the complete list of vehicles that were ranked very high, high, and moderate in terms of being distracting.

Most distracting vehicles, “very high” category

• Audi Q7 QPP
• Dodge Durango GT
• Chrysler 300 C
• Ford Mustang GT
• Honda Civic Touring
• Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
• GMC Yukon SLT
• Mazda3 Touring
• Subaru Crosstrek Premium
• Nissan Armada SV
• Volvo XC60 T5 Inscription
• Tesla Model S

Second most distracting vehicles, “high” category

• Cadillac XT5 Luxury
• Dodge Ram 1500
• Chevrolet Traverse LT
• Ford Fusion Titanium
• Infiniti Q50 Premium
• Hyundai Sonata Base
• Jeep Compass Sport
• Kia Sorento LX
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
• Toyota Rav 4 XLE
• Nissan Maxima SV

Second most distracting vehicles, “moderate” category

• Chevrolet Equinox LT
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
• Ford F250 XLT
• Lincoln MKC Premiere
• Toyota Corolla SE
• Toyota Camry SE
• Toyota Sienna XLE

According to the AAA drivers taking their eyes off the road for even seconds increases their risk of a crash by 200 percent. Certain members of the auto industry were however, critical of this new research and methods. The Alliance of automobile manufacturers quoted that auto manufacturers have worked for years to help drivers focus on the road.

The statement read, "It’s important to discourage drivers from using portable electronics because they were never designed to be used while driving. Automakers have developed vehicle-integrated systems, to which portable electronics may be connected, that are designed to be used in the driving environment and require driver attention that is comparable to tuning the radio or adjusting climate controls, which have always been considered baseline acceptable behaviors while driving."

The Global Automakers urged the drivers to avoid using hand held devices, but rather use in-vehicle systems.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you should get in touch with a competent St. Louis car accident lawyer and pursue a claim against the driver.

Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 to schedule a free and private case evaluation.