Groundbreaking new research has found that not all car infotainment systems are created equal, with some systems significantly more distracting than others.
Whether it’s a touch screen or tactile buttons, steering wheel control or voice command, the more steps it takes to complete a task, the more distracted the driver becomes - according to the research commissioned by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), in partnership with RAC.
University of Newcastle researchers used technology including eye tracking glasses to measure lapses in concentration, testing drivers as they interacted with 10 native in-car infotainment systems including BMW, Toyota and Tesla models, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The systems were then scored from highest to lowest.
The highest-scoring system, Apple CarPlay required an average of two steps and drew the driver's eye away from the road for a little over one second to complete each task.
The lowest-scoring system, the Cupra Ateca required up to 11 steps and was predicted to take the driver's eyes off the road for around six seconds per task.
The study found that each extra step - a touchscreen tap, button press, steering wheel control, voice command or having to repeat an instruction - exponentially decreased the driver’s ability to keep their eyes on the road, meaning each extra step demanded even more attention than the one before it.
“Driver distraction is a significant road safety issue in WA. Alongside speed and fatigue, inattention is among the key risky driving behaviours that contribute to road crashes resulting in death or serious injury,” said RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels, Alex Forrest.
“The research clearly shows there is a direct link between the number of steps a task takes, and the number of seconds the driver’s eyes are off the road.”
“Infotainment distraction can also include things like the response time and positioning of the screen, along with the size, clarity, sensitivity and configuration of on-screen buttons.”
“Any task that takes your eyes off the road for longer than a quick glance should be done before you start driving or while safely pulled over, or done by a front seat passenger," said Mr Forrest.
"If you take your eyes off the road for just two seconds at 60km/h, you've travelled 33 metres blind."
The AAA’s new Driver Distraction Test can help drivers identify which tasks such as making a phone call, putting on music or using GPS, take the most steps and ensure they complete those before starting a journey or stop in a safe place to complete them.
“Navigation tasks tend to be especially demanding, and we strongly recommend drivers set this up before they get moving," said Mr Forrest.
The Research Project team included Professor Kristen Pammer, Dr Rachael Wynne, Dr Angus McKerral and Dr Jon-Paul Cavallaro, and was undertaken by the University of Newcastle in conjunction with ABMARC and Red Scientific.
The research was conducted to help manufacturers improve design, regulators assess safety, and consumers and fleets compare vehicles before buying.
The full report can be found here.