Does technology help or hinder driving?

Seema Singh — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:45:00 GMT

Every time a cell phone or a blaring radio distracts a driver, causing either an accident or a recklessness on road (which obviously irks other drivers), technology gets cursed.

At the same time, the auto world is awash with new technologies, of course, some in the pipeline, some on drawing boards which might never reach the manufacturing plant. So, what's the dynamics of mixing driving and technology?

In a sort of meta analysis of scientific studies (both slamming and praising technology for drivers) mechanical and industrial engineering researcher John Lee of the University of Iowa reports in today's issue of Science that, overall, it is a good thing. Intuitively we, drivers at least, would think so, even as we know that with technology increasingly getting ubiquitous in vehicles, drivers on road have to judiciously distribute their attention.

Some studies have clearly shown that technology (esp. talking on cell phone and adjusting radio while driving) can distract or impair drivers. Research shows that in more than 70% of the crashes or near-crash events, drivers have engaged in such activities.

In studies where drivers were recorded in the road and given feedback afterwards, it turned out that most drivers paid attention to the feedback and made improvements to their driving.

"Drivers can be given an alert that directs their attention away from distractions and back to the roadway if they look away from the road for too long. Emerging technology can also record a history of distraction (such as drivers' eye movements and gadget usage) and the associated decline in driving performance. This information can then be shared with drivers to enhance their appreciation for the risks associated with driving while distracted," writes Lee.

Automakers are probably already factoring in this. Fiat, in collaboration with Microsoft has developed a new data-logging programme called EcoDrive, to be rolled out in 2010 models. EcoDrive records performance data, such as CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, onto a USB key which the driver can plug in a PC to see the analysis and driving tips leading to lower emissions!

Enhanced feedback can lead to lasting changes in how drivers attend to the road, Lee argues. Though, it's also true that most drivers tend to overestimate their abilities. A survey in the US showed, 88% judged themselves to be safer than the average driver! (I think so, too :)

In a country like India, which will have about 5,46,000 road accident cases annually by 2020, making it one of the leading causes of death and disability, according to the Director General of Health Services, Government of India, any technology/feedback that makes driving safer is welcome.

Personally, I'd like some technology that would remind/signal drivers around me to not honk unnecessarily; or one that produces a really loud, alarming sound if drivers overtake from the wrong side or drive on high beam within city limits; or some smart sensor that automatically records a vehicle's details and alerts me on my mobile if it damages my car in the parking!

You'd have guessed, those are my pet peeves on the road. What's yours?

Share this post: email it! | del.icio.us! | digg it! | newsVine!

Lab Rats : driving

Does technology help or hinder driving?