Is the technology of newer cars putting older drivers at risk? - SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New vehicle technology, like touch screens and voice command, puts older adults at risk while driving, a new study and disturbing video shows.

While new vehicle dashboard technology has the potential to increase comfort for older drivers, a study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found it to be more of a distraction than it is for younger drivers.

Video taken during the testing shows several competent older adults struggling with the technology, becoming nervous, frustrated and distracted while driving.

On average, older drivers (ages 55-75) removed their eyes and attention from the road for more than eight seconds longer than younger drivers (ages 21-36) when performing simple tasks like programming navigation or tuning the radio using in-vehicle infotainment technology, according to the new research from the AAAFoundation for Traffic Safety.

Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles a driver’s crash risk, AAA says.

Study participants in two age groups (21-36 and 55-75) were required to use voice commands, touch screens and other interactive technologies to make a call, send a text message, tune the radio, or program navigation, all while driving.

Researchers found that the technology created potentially unsafe distractions for all drivers, though this safety risk is more pronounced for older adults, who took longer (4.7-8.6 seconds) to complete tasks, experienced slower response times, and increased visual distractions.

“Unfortunately, the complexity and poor design of infotainment systems could cause more harm for older drivers, rather than helping them,” said Robert Sinclair, manager of media relations forAAA Northeast.

By 2030, more than one in five drivers on the road will be over the age of 65. With seniors becoming the fastest growing demographic in the United States, finding ways to design technology to improve their comfort and safety is critical, and may hold the key to enhancing the safe use of this technology for all drivers, Sinclair said.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety partnered with researchers from the University of Utah to test the visual and cognitive demand created by infotainment systems.

Specific design changes to in-vehicle infotainment systems, like improving voice-command technology, simplifying software menus, removing complex center console controls, and positioning system controls to allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road, would better meet the needs of older adults and make the systems safer for all drivers, AAA said in announcing the study.

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