Research in motion: Combating driver distraction

The best way to avoid being distracted while driving is simply to keep your eyes on the road. But human nature dictates that drivers want to do other things. So many people have become accustomed to the conveniences of smartphones – from being able to consult constantly-updated information to simply keeping in touch with people via social networking, while having your full library of music at your fingertips – that they are unwilling to give this up, even while in control of several tonnes of high-speed metal. The covergence of satnav with smartphones is another contributing factor.

So, as people are going to use infotainment while driving anyway, what’s the best way to allow them to do that safely? In-car audio specialist Harman, which provides systems for marques such as BMW, Audi, Jeep and Ferrari, is trying to come up with solutions to the problem.

Different car makers have different preferred options. For example, Volkswagen likes having touch-screens. But these have to be placed high in the dashboard so that the driver’s eye can flick easily and quickly from the screen to the road. The layout of the cabin means that the screen is therefore a considerable distance from the driver – further than he or she can reach by just taking a hand off the wheel. So as well as taking your eyes momentarily from the road, you have to lean forward a bit.