Study: Phones Aren't the Only Things Distracting Drivers

CARS.COM — Much of the conversation around distracted driving has centered on mobile devices, but a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests that in-car infotainment systems are also a culprit.

Related: Video: The Dangers of Distracted Driving

The study, performed in conjunction with the University of Utah, included 30 model-year 2017 vehicles and 120 drivers between the ages of 21 and 36. The drivers were asked to perform a set of tasks using voice commands, the touchscreen or other interactive technologies within the vehicles’ multimedia systems. The tasks included making calls, sending a text message, changing the radio and programming navigation while driving.

Researchers then measured the visual (time with eyes off the road) and cognitive (mental distraction from driving) demands associated with each task, rating them on a scale of low to very high. They correlated a low level of distraction to listening to the radio or an audiobook, while a very high level of demand would be equivalent to balancing a checkbook while driving.

The results were striking. None of the vehicle systems tested were categorizes as low demand, seven of the systems produced moderate demand, 11 systems commandeered high demand and 12 systems very high demand. Here were the results by vehicle:

Moderate Demand

• Chevrolet Equinox LT
• Ford F-250 XLT
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
• Lincoln MKC Premiere
• Toyota Camry SE
• Toyota Corolla SE
• Toyota Sienna XLE

High Demand

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

Very High Demand

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

The study also indicated that the single most distracting task in terms of driver engagement was programming the navigation system. It took drivers 40 seconds to complete the task and they were distracted from driving the whole time. Twelve of the 30 vehicles allow navigation destinations to be entered while driving; for safety, AAA recommends locking out this functionality while the car is in motion.

AAA also indicated that driver frustration with these infotainments systems increases cognitive demand and thus raises the potential for distracted driving. As technology becomes more integrated into cars, making sure that it happens safely is a growing challenge for automakers and drivers alike.

Many automakers are updating their multimedia systems to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The systems allow operation of smartphone apps for navigation, text messaging and music through a car’s dashboard touchscreen, steering-wheel buttons or voice commands. This is supposed to make controlling these functions easier and less distracting, but the study’s authors say the verdict is still out and it plans to assess these systems in future studies.

The bottom line is use your judgment. If you find using the infotainment system in your vehicle is distracting, resist the temptation to use it. If it’s something that absolutely can’t wait, pull over. Let’s all do our part to help make the roads safer.