Take the test - how distracting is your vehicle's tech?
It comes after first-of-its-kind research by Australian car clubs found not all in-car technology was created the same, with some demanding far less attention from drivers than others.
RACQ Executive Manager Road Safety Joshua Cooney said systems were rated according to how few or how many steps it took to use the in-car systems - a maximum of five stars if tasks took only one to two steps to complete and zero stars if it took 11 or more.
“We commissioned the University of Newcastle to put some of the most popular vehicle entertainment displays through their paces, completing a series of common, legal tasks to determine their level of distraction,” Mr Cooney said.
“The tasks included making and receiving a phone call or text, playing a song, and using the navigation tool.
“The tool aims to help drivers understand how in-vehicle infotainment systems can distract from the primary job at hand, namely driving safely on our roads.”
University of Newcastle researcher Dr Rachael Wynne said Apple CarPlay was the least distracting of the systems tested.
“Apple’s infotainment system scored five stars with an average of two steps per task,” Dr Wynne said.
“The Polestar 2, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Corolla were the next best, scoring four stars with an average of three steps.
“At 80km/hr, for each second your eyes are off the road, you are essentially driving blind for over 22 metres – so for every extra step you have to take, the distraction really adds up.”
RACQ is now encouraging drivers to take the test themselves, using the online tool created by Australian car clubs to see just how distracting their infotainment system really is.
“It’s a great way to find out how distracting these tasks can be and serves as a reminder for drivers to set up their systems before leaving the driveway to minimise any distraction on the road,” Mr Cooney said.
“Driving distracted is a major cause of road trauma in Queensland, with around one in eight fatalities (12.7%) and one in five hospitalisations (19.7%) involving a distracted driver or rider.
“RACQ’s Annual Road Safety Survey also found more than half of motorists (50.4%) said they felt distracted by their vehicle’s technology, including using GPS and Bluetooth.
“As Queensland’s road safety crisis worsens, every motorist must do their part to drive safely, which includes limiting distractions.”
For more information and to take the test, head to the AAA website.
Not all infotainment systems available in Australian market were tested, only a selection of the most popular systems.
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