Car Infotainment Systems: An Underreported Source of Driver Distraction

Technological advancements have completely changed how we drive. In many cases, these technological changes have made driving safer. Anti-lock braking systems, accident prevention systems, lane drifting protection, and backup cameras have done their part to reduce accident rates and severity. However, other technological advancements have made the roads more dangerous. In particular, infotainment systems have had a negative effect on how people drive.

Have you been injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania? It’s time to talk to the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman. Our team can investigate your accident and help you find out if you’re entitled to compensation. Call us at 866-565-4949 to set up a consultation now.

Infotainment Systems Are More Widely Used Than Ever Before

Infotainment systems used to be reserved for the most high-end vehicles, inaccessible to the vast majority of us. Even though they were found in expensive vehicles, they weren’t necessarily the easiest to use or the most useful—technology could only do so much. Because of this, few people had the opportunity to become distracted by these systems, and those who had the opportunity rarely used the systems that way.

Now, cars of all price points and luxury levels have built-in infotainment systems. They are a convenient source of information, guidance, and entertainment for drivers. But with millions on the road now using these voice-activated and touchscreen devices, the risk of distracted driving is higher than ever.

The Issue with Infotainment Distractions

The issue with infotainment systems is how easily they can be used as a distraction. Even when they’re used as intended, they can draw a driver’s eyes, hands, and mind off of the road. The buttons and layout are visually distracting, as you must look at the screen to figure out what you want to click on. Many of these systems still require you to go through cumbersome menus and settings to get to the screen you need.

Infotainment systems are also cognitively distracting. When you’re trying to figure out which settings menu you need, your mind isn’t on the road. When you have the chance to select music, find your next podcast, and type into your navigation app, that’s less brain power that is going to the mentally demanding task of driving.

Finally, these systems are manually distracting. You have to take a hand off the wheel to select options and move through screens. Most of these devices are touchscreen, so you can’t even rely on touch to figure out where you need to click—you have to look and click at the same time.

This only covers the risks with infotainment systems that are used as intended. Some users go even further with their systems, jailbreaking them so that they can do far more than what the manufacturer built into them. Jailbroken infotainment systems can be used to play games, stream videos, and otherwise be an even greater source of distraction for drivers.

Safety Concerns

Visual, cognitive, and manual distractions pose grave safety concerns for drivers and the people sharing the road with them. They ramp up the likelihood of an accident or near-miss. Distracted drivers have longer reaction times, which can mean the difference between stopping just in time for an obstacle or causing a massive collision. Distracted drivers are also less likely to make sound decisions, thanks to the cognitive demands of infotainment systems.

It can be difficult to track the effects of infotainment systems on accident rates. Data on these topics often relies on self-reporting, and a driver who causes a crash or has a near-miss is unlikely to implicate themselves by telling the police that they were fiddling with their vehicle settings. It’s important to invest in more thorough documentation and reporting of infotainment accidents to ensure that drivers and passengers are kept safe.

Injured in a Car Crash? Contact Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Pennsylvania, it’s important to move quickly and advocate for yourself. Call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman at 866-565-4949 or message us online to set up a free consultation and case assessment. We are ready to go to work for you!