The touch screen is increasingly saving buttons away. But now a new investigation shows that using the screen is just as dangerous as driving under the influence.
Using the touch screen is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol level. And the idea of gathering all functions in one place is not of much help.
This is according to a new investigation from the Swedish part of the insurance company Gjensidige.
– This kind of loss of attention can be compared to what happens when you drink alcohol. That is why it is worrying.
– When so many people have experienced that their attention is directed to something other than driving, it means a serious traffic risk.
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– This is also a reason why it is stipulated by law that you as a motorist may not use your mobile phone during the crossing, says Markus Ljungblad, head of claims at Gjensidige Försäkring, in a press release .
In the survey, drivers were also asked what takes most of their attention when they should actually be driving. At least problematic, it is not surprising to have the radio on.
Only slightly more than one in four – or 26 percent – answer that they feel distracted by the tones from the car radio. On the other hand, it attracts far more people's attention, holding a conversation with others in the car.
As many as 41 percent answered in the survey that talking to other passengers takes too much of their attention. 66 percent think it is the mobile phone that is the biggest culprit.
However, it is worst in cars with a touch screen. As many as 71 percent of drivers who have one or more touch screens in their cars answer that the screen steals attention from the traffic.
Therefore also believes that drivers with touchscreens in the car should get a few new habits. Both for their own safety and that of others.
– Make it a habit to always tune in to the radio channel, podcast or music app you want to listen to before you even start the car, so you don't have to focus on that sort of thing while you're singing.
– If you have to use the GPS, another tip is to enter the destination already before the car starts rolling, says the claims manager.
The survey was carried out by Demoskop on behalf of Gjensidige Försäkring among 1,000 motorists. Another survey temporarily points to what drivers think is most annoying in traffic. Read more about the result here .
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