How technology is taking drivers eyes off the road

October 19th, 2012  |  Insurance

New technology is great. But, is it making drivers more and more distracted when they are behind the wheel?

Think about it. Almost every new piece of technology that comes to market can be used in your car. They come with car adapters and companies market the use of these technologies in cars as a selling feature. This is definitely a case of how new technology can be both good and bad. Good in the sense that it can improve our efficiencies and bad in the sense that it can take our focus off of the road when we are driving.

Here is a list of some of the types of technology that can be used in our cars that are also acting as an additional distraction for drivers that use them:

• Mobile Phones: Cell phones definitively get most of the attention in the press when it comes to distracting driving and texting and driving.

• Computers and IPads: More and more people are using their computers in the car while driving. This also goes for other devices such as a IPads

• GPS: There is a lot of debate when it comes to the use of GPS. While it clearly states in the law that GPS devices must be mounted, there are many people that think it is okay to use their phone as a GPS while driving.

• TVs: Lots of vehicles have televisions in them now and there have definitely been cases of drivers watching TV while driving.

• E readers/mobile gaming devices: E readers such as Kobo and mobile gaming devices such as the PlayStation Vita are also being used by drivers when they are on the road.

• Commercial devices: There is also a grey area when it comes to commercial vehicles and their use of communication/mobile devices when they are in motion on the road.

So, what do drivers do?

Drivers know what is right and wrong when driving. Even though you might be tempted, if you need to use your phone or any other technology when you are driving, wait until it is safe and pull into a parking lot and then use it. Don’t risk your safety or the safety of other drivers by distracting yourself with technology while on the road.