Over the last ten years, there has been a huge increase in the digital technology available to motorists, allowing them to perform tasks that are unrelated to driving while they are behind the wheel. One of the biggest developments in this period has been the rise of infotainment systems. This refers to vehicle systems that combine entertainment and information delivery for drivers and passengers, often with the use of audio and touchscreens.
Whilst infotainment systems can be handy for the driver, allowing them to carry out many tasks, there is also the potential that they can be a distraction – more so than traditional radio systems. Distraction is a serious road safety problem: in 2019, there were 2,563 road traffic accidents where ‘distraction inside vehicle’ was cited as the contributory factor – 65 of these accidents were fatal.