Sadly, while intended to make driving safer, studies have found these technologies are also distracting and present risk.
What are the Different Types of Distraction?
Four types of distraction can impact driving:
- Visual – Anything that takes the eyes off the road
- Auditory – Anything that causes a driver to stop listening
- Manual – Anything that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – Anything that requires attention but is not related to driving
Distracted driving plays a role in most motor vehicle accidents, which is why there is the emergence of new technologies intended to reduce behavior. Unfortunately, voice-command technologies don’t prevent distraction.
Hands-Free is not Risk-Free
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found hands-free voice command technology is more cognitively distracting than alternatives, such as manually adjusting a vehicle’s temperature or replying to a text message. Because the technology is imperfect, the need to make manual revisions can take even more attention away from operating the vehicle.
Multitasking is not possible. Study after study has shown that the human mind can only focus on one thing at a time. Anything a driver does that is not directly related to safely maneuvering a vehicle is a distraction. If you are injured by a distracted driver, you have every right to hold them accountable and seek compensation for all related damages. The attorneys at Johnson & Biscone are here to help.
Please call our Oklahoma City office at 405-232-6490 to schedule a free case review today. We welcome clients from Edmond, Norman, and all nearby areas of the state.
