The conference 'Are we being driven to distraction by developments in Automotive Technologies?' was organised by the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) and heard expert views from both the producers of in-car information technology and the physiological results of intensive tests on their effects on drivers.
The event in the RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin, was sponsored by Continental Tyres.
Pictured are Pim van der Jagt, Head of Research and Development at Ford of Europe; Dr Natasha Merat, Associate Professor at the University of Leeds-based Institute for Transport Studies; Gerry Murphy, Chairman IMWA; and Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland.
Dr Natasha Merat, who specialises in human machine interface (HMI) and driver behaviour highlighted the results of recent studies which show that once a driver’s primary attention is diverted by another information input, whether that be a mobile phone or a piece of technology within the car, the risk of an accident increases significantly.
“Without a doubt, technology has contributed hugely to strides in improving road safety over the last number of decades, but we need to be careful that we don’t undo some of that progress by providing a dangerous level of information overload through the addition of a broad range of ‘attention-grabbing’ technologies inside the car,” Dr Merat said. “We know that younger, inexperienced drivers are particularly prone to distractions while driving whether they come from in-car distractions or external influences. And for both experienced and inexperienced drivers, the distraction level can increase significantly once other impairments come into play, e.g. when a driver is showing any signs of fatigue”.
Pim van der Jagt said that distractions behind the wheel, however they are caused, either by technology or devices within the car or external influences, can be a serious risk to road safety overall. "However, as part of the process of developing new automotive technologies, we are always conscious of how each new development fits into the overall picture of the driver behind the wheel. A sine qua non of all of our research and development activity is that new technology has to contribute to improving the driver experience and consequently, road safety. Any technology that does not pass this test would fall at this first hurdle and would not be developed further for use in cars.”
He outlined the coming roll out of a range of services based upon a two-way vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication system which will enable cars to communicate with each other about driving and traffic conditions. And he added that in perhaps 10 to 15 years, in addition to vehicle-to-vehicle communications, there will be a widespread use of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication whereby our cars will be able to communicate with the road infrastructure and traffic management systems with the aim of making journeys as smooth and as quick as possible and with the overall aim of reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
Gerry Murphy, Chairman, Irish Motoring Writers Association, who moderated the Forum discussion, said the presentations from the keynote speakers were very interesting. "We thank them for bringing the benefit of their expertise to the motoring public in Ireland. To answer the question that was our point of departure for the Forum, I think the driver is ultimately responsible for ensuring he or she manages and limits the distraction potential of technology and any other external influences that would divert their attention from the important task at hand.”
Tom Dennigan, of sponsor Continental Tyres, welcomed the forum as 'a valuable event that helps to spread knowledge and promote discussion in relation to motoring and its wider implications for our society'.
(This is one of a series of stories we are running based on the 2013 IMWA/Continental Forum.)
