Modern functions and finesse in cars can have many advantages for both safety and ease of use.
At the same time, they also make the cars more complex and potentially distracting to drive.
This is underlined by a new study from the insurance company Gjensidige carried out by Demoskop.
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Modern interiors are more distracting
We motoring journalists have been complaining for quite a few years now that modern car interiors are becoming increasingly difficult to use.
There are more and more functions, and instead of being controlled with traditional buttons, they are in many cases controlled through increasingly large touch screens on the center console.
It also turns out that touchscreens in cars are a distraction for many drivers in Sweden.
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8 out of 10 are distracted by the touch screen
According to Gensidige’s study, 78 percent, or almost 8 out of 10, of those who have a car with a touchscreen indicate that the screen sometimes steals focus from driving.
– The car’s touch screen is supposed to be a tool and help for the driver, so it is unfortunate if it is a distraction. But there are tricks to avoid being distracted while driving, says Markus Ljungbladhead of claims within Gjensidige Försäkring.
Markus Ljungblad advises, among other things, that you can start your music, podcast or navigation before you start driving.
Although many are distracted by the car’s touch screen, the mobile phone is still the most common source of distraction when driving.
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Many are distracted behind the wheel
Keeping your eyes on the road while driving is critical, and losing focus for a few seconds can be enough for an accident to occur.
Even so, almost 9 out of 10 in the study, more precisely 89 percent, state that they have at some point ridden with a driver who focuses on something other than driving.
Only 7 percent state that they have never experienced this.
– This type of loss of attention can be compared to what happens when you drink alcohol. This is why this is worrying, Markus Ljungblad.
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