Anti-distraction features could be making distraction worse

Every driver should know that they would be wise to avoid distractions while driving. When a driver focuses on anything besides the task of driving, or when drivers take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road, they can easily hit other cars, pedestrians or bicyclists.

Despite this awareness, distracted driving remains incredibly common in Albuquerque. In an effort to combat it, carmakers have started to add in-car features that attempt to curb distracted driving. Unfortunately, these systems could actually be making distraction and even bigger problem.

What’s so distracting?

Some of the biggest culprits of in-car distraction are the systems designed to reduce distraction: infotainment systems.

If you have a new car, you are probably familiar with these. They are often voice- or touch-activated and can control everything from text messages on your phone to your radio and the temperature in your car.

However, according to research from AAA, 23 of 30 infotainment systems tested placed high or very demand on a driver; the rest placed a moderate amount of demand on a driver. None of the systems tested showed a low demand.

In other words, using an infotainment system may prove to be more taxing visually, mentally and physically than other sources of distraction. Researchers believe that this is largely due to poor design of the systems.

False sense of security

It is easy for people to assume they can still drive safely while using an infotainment system because it’s not a phone and there are no laws against using them while driving. However, the fact is that using an infotainment system can be about as demanding as balancing a checkbook behind the wheel.

In other words, distracted driving is still a very real problem that puts drivers in New Mexico in danger. If you or someone you love is hurt in an accident with a distracted driver, then you can discuss with an attorney your options for legal action and compensation.