In-vehicle technology can be both a help and a hindrance to drivers, prompting warnings as to the use of the increasingly-sophisticated gadgets and, for after-market devices, their location amid fears that road user safety could be undermined.

Satellite navigation, traffic monitoring systems and speed limit detectors are all on the must-have list for drivers. Meanwhile, audio systems are becoming ever-more complicated with the introduction of MP3 players, and newly-developed safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping devices could, in reality, add to the crash risk, it is claimed. But, amid warnings from vehicle ergonomics experts such as Dr Mark Young, a lecturer in the School of Engineering and Design at Brunel University, that the new safety-related technology is resulting in “driver underload”, manufacturer representatives and safety experts have warned against such sweeping claims.

Dr Young says: “The phenomenon can be as dangerous as ‘driver overload’ as people, when behind the wheel, have too little to do and driver attention reduces during a journey. If the driver suddenly has to take emergency action or a system fails there can be disadvantages.” His warning comes alongside claims that in-car gadgets are responsible for almost 500,000 drivers having a road accident, according to Privilege Insurance. From altering the volume on the radio, CD or cassette to opening or closing sunroofs and adjusting the ventilation to cleaning the windscreen, almost half of drivers say they have had near misses as a result.

In addition, a fifth of drivers have become so distracted when fiddling with an instrument in their car’s cockpit – notably the satellite navigation system – that they have veered out of lane. Meanwhile, using a hands-free mobile phone while driving – the use of a hand-held phone is illegal – is calculated by the Department for Transport to make drivers four times more likely to have a crash. The plethora of in-car information devices on the aftermarket has led to the Fleet Safety Association becoming increasingly concerned about the possible increased risks of using such devices whilst driving, and, in the case of aftermarket items, the positioning of them within the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the Society of Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that carmakers spend millions of pounds developing factory-fitted in-car technology systems ensuring that they meet rigorous ergonomic and safety standards. This means that devices are located in the optimum place to ensure drivers remain focused on the road ahead and their attention is not diverted to an illplaced system. Additionally, says Pete Davis, technical manager, passive safety at the SMMT, satellite navigation devices fitted on the vehicle production line could only be programmed when the vehicle was stationary, with limited functionality available to the driver when on the move, unlike some aftermarket devices.

“I’m sure that there would be considerable danger in trying to programme a journey when driving but it is only possible with mobile devices and, as with mobile phones, drivers need to be educated as to the risks,” he says. He also points out that the audio systems fitted to many of today’s vehicles could be controlled via buttons located on the steering wheel meaning the driver’s eyes could remain on the road.

Mr Davis says: “Manufacturers are well aware of the problems associated with operation of the controls of devices such as CD players and radio and many cars now have the controls on the steering wheel. Further, vehicle controls are designed to British and international standards governing ergonomic standards for controls and information interfaces with the driver.”

Like Mr Davis, the FSA differentiated between original equipment and aftermarket devices but also suggested that factory-fitted systems had a high distraction potential. Spokesman Steve Johnson, marketing manager of risk management provider Drive & Survive, says: “There is increasing evidence that distraction from in-car information devices is a significant factor in crash situations. “In the case of after-market accessories, a lot of this is to do with positioning in the vehicle. Very few suppliers of these devices give proper guidance on this aspect and most people, perhaps understandably, locate them for maximum convenience, rather than considering if the unit is obscuring their vision. Also, a lot of drivers are positioning them so that they are easy to reach whilst actually driving, and if used in this way the potential for a collision is obviously very high.”

The FSA’s advice for fitting aftermarket in-car devices is:

• Position the unit outside the driver’s central field of view whilst at the wheel, preferably below the bottom extremity of the windscreen.
  
  
• Position it in such a way that the driver has to make a conscious effort not to use it whilst driving.
  
  
• If the driver has to adjust or re-programme the device during a journey, find a safe place to stop first.

However, Mr Johnson adds: “Even with factory-fitted systems, the potential for distraction is high with these devices and drivers must prioritise the information they are receiving, ensuring that they only look at the screen when it is absolutely safe to do so, and even then for the shortest possible time.” The suggestion that satellite navigation systems could drive motorists into danger was supported with further research by Manchester Metropolitan University. Its study found that drivers become tired and distracted, both from the effort of listening to the directions given by the system and from looking at the directions on the screen.

As satellite navigation systems become as common as CD players, research reveals that 11% of drivers have used the controls on their satellite navigation while driving, instead of programming their route before hitting the road. In addition, more than half of those drivers admit that doing so meant that their eyes were taken off the road, leading to driving danger and claims that in-car navigation equipment could be proving more of a hindrance than a help to drivers. Nearly 13% of drivers who use a satellite navigation device while driving confess to not spending any time planning a route they are unfamiliar with prior to setting off, relying heavily on the equipment to get them to their destination.

“Manufacturers must integrate systems that are more intelligent and can process information to prevent confusion”

Dr Young says: “Numerous technologies are being added to vehicles and are being marketed as comfort and convenience features, but they are not being implemented in a systematic fashion and none of the technologies are ‘talking’ to each other. Therefore, the driver has a cacophony of information being directed at them. “Manufacturers must integrate systems which are more intelligent and can process information to prevent confusion. There must be a human sensitive approach.” However, Mr Davis says Dr Young was confusing factory-fitted and after-market systems. As an example, he highlighted Electronic Stability Control and adaptive cruise control and said it would be “impossible and disastrous” to design two systems that affected braking, but operated independently of each other.

Dr Young divides in-car technology into two distinct areas – driver support (satellite navigation and adaptive cruise control) and task relevant (audio and telephone). The latter, he says, must be designed to ensure minimum interference from drivers for safety reasons, while the former should support drivers and not take over from them. Ian Parker, managing director of Privilege Insurance, says: “Navigation equipment can be a major distraction while driving. Our research shows even satellite navigation equipment, if used incorrectly, can lead to driver danger.” The Privilege research also reveals that four in 10 drivers want vehicle manufacturers to limit the growth of the car gadget culture. Mr Parker says: “It appears that the development of new technologies, products and advertising techniques is getting in the way of road safety.

“The research findings highlight the extent of the problem of adding more and increasingly complex accessories to cars. It is clear that many drivers recognise the dangers of being distracted when driving, and many have been involved in accidents as a result.

“We urge drivers to spend plenty of time with a new car, getting to know and understand the controls, ensuring the settings are ready and the conditions comfortable before embarking on a journey – from planning their route and selecting the choice and volume of music, to setting the right temperature.”

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