Driver distraction from digital technology

Research and polling indicate that in-vehicle technology and mobile devices are contributing to significant levels of driver distraction. An AutoSense poll of drivers in Australia and New Zealand found that between 92 and 93 percent of respondents reported experiencing distraction when using touchscreens, with approximately 19 to 23 percent stating these distractions occur frequently. Common diversions include adjusting temperature or music, checking navigation, and responding to work alerts or calls. AutoSense CEO Charles Dawson noted that physical controls like knobs and buttons are often preferred for providing tactile feedback that allows drivers to make adjustments without taking their eyes off the road. These findings coincide with Euro NCAP’s 2026 assessment protocols, which will consider the usability and availability of physical buttons for essential vehicle functions. Further research highlights a rise in distraction among younger motorists, described by researcher Siegfried Brockmann as ‘digital natives’ who struggle to drive without checking devices. A study by Auto Club Europa found illegal smartphone use at intersections, with rates reaching as high as 17.9 percent in one Stuttgart location. A comprehensive study by the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT) reveals that driver distraction is responsible for at least one in three traffic accidents, a figure significantly higher than previous estimates of 10 percent. Analyzing over 34,000 accidents using eye-tracking technology and simulations, the study found that digital cockpits and multi-step touchscreen menus for functions like climate control force drivers to divert their gaze. In simulated highway emergency braking, distracted drivers faced a collision rate of 54.3 percent, compared to 18.2 percent for attentive drivers. In scenarios involving a child running into the road, risk increased from 3.9 percent to 11.2 percent.