The survey, which motors.co.uk said canvassed attitudes toward 21st century driving distractions, highlighted that more than half (52.9%) would like to see fewer ‘non-essential’ features in cars to help avoid confusion. In-car add-ons were cited as greater distractions than noisy passengers, convoluted road signs and even the family dog.
Fiddling with the sat nav was deemed the biggest driving danger by car drivers, with almost a third of all drivers (29.4%) voting it a major driving distraction. Using intricate in-car music gadgets such as iPods and CD players followed hot on the heels for one in five drivers (21.6%), while an over enthusiastic or authoritarian sat nav voice was a cause of confusion for 23%.
Fussy steering wheel control buttons and piercing parking sensors were also cited as the ultimate concentration crushers for one in 10 drivers, respectively. The chief non-car related distractions nominated by drivers were smoking (23.5%), eating and drinking (7.8%), children (9.8%) and pets (5%).
“Many modern cars are filled with gadgets and gizmos and for many drivers are seen as not only confusing to use but also a major cause of distraction for both themselves and other drivers,” commented Katie Armitage, marketing manager for motors.co.uk. “On the back of these findings we are urging manufacturers to ‘Go back to Basics’ and to consider the safety of drivers and how they use the add-ons with the emphasis being placed on not losing concentration.”
The research has inspired motors.co.uk to compile a larger list of driver ‘loves’ and ‘loathes’ from the close to 200,000 cars currently listed on its website…
Top gadgets motors.co.uk loves:
• Parking sensors – particularly the ones that give ample warning that you’re getting too close! A boon on cars such as Land Rover’s Discovery.
• Simple, easy to use sat-nav. The one offered as an option in the new Honda Jazz is beautifully simple and easy to use.
• Cars that turn off at traffic lights whenever you slip the gears into neutral and let out the clutch – Mini and BMW, the new 1 Series also comes with automatic start-stop function to further cut fuel consumption. To restart, the driver only need ‘dip’ the clutch again before pulling away in the normal manner.
Top gadgets motors.co.uk loathes:
• Cars with touch-screen controls as it is too easy to hit the wrong button while on the move – on some Jags, Audis and VW’s.
• Cars that’ll let you lock your keys inside. This can be particularly distressing for parents if young children are trapped.
• Cruise control: Great if you’re on a long, high-speed journey across Italy, Germany or France, but pointless on the UK’s busy roads. Fitted to innumerable executive-class saloons, MPVs and off-roaders and never used. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
