Report: In-Car Technology Creates New Distractions for Drivers

A new study by AAA and the University of Utah put the new gadgetry available inside cars to the test, and found that all that technology causes distracted driving.

According to Max Smith, the study found 30 2017 models from various manufacturers "had systems that put a significant burden on drivers to use — mentally or visually pulling attention from the road." With infotainment, navigation, voice commands, and more, cars are harder to drive safely.

All those new systems create distractions a lot like cell phones do, but many cars are taking steps to integrate cell phone technology into the driver's control. "Initial research on the effects of drivers’ phone use through the dashboard screens using features like Apple’s CarPlay suggests that they may be less frustrating to use than some of the built-in options, although that does not mean they are safe to use while in motion," according to Smith. "The current setup, with some cars allowing texting, internet searches or social media posts from behind the wheel, is a 'recipe for distracted driving," writes Smith.

Included in the study's findings is a list of the worst of the worst of the distracted driving offenders.