Distraction while driving – ORF and AutoBild report from the AUDIO MOBIL test site

Selecting a navigation destination, scrolling through the music list imported into the vehicle from the smartphone you have with you, or simply making a phone call – activities that we have all probably carried out once or several times while driving. The uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach about how you managed to cover the distance driven in the meantime without being able to specifically recall it will also be all too familiar.

Distraction as a major risk factor

Two major media outlets – ORF Salzburg and Germany’s AutoBild – recently devoted extensive coverage to this very critical topic of distraction while driving. The editors’ ambitious self-experiments were filmed and photographed on the hermetically sealed test site of AUDIO MOBIL Elektronik GmbH. Supported by their scientific partner, the University of Salzburg’s Car-Lab, the editors were – as mentioned at the outset – given simple tasks to complete in addition to the actual driving task.

The unanimous verdict of the test subjects after the scientifically evaluated test drives: “You would never think that such simple activities could distract you so much from the primary task of controlling the vehicle. We can only appeal to all drivers to carry out these processes exclusively before setting off – anything else is a danger to the public.”

Law enforcement accompanied the test scenario

Upon request, the Braunau municipal police, led by Chief Inspector Schnell, also agreed to accompany the test drives on the AUDIO MOBIL site. Law enforcement has been aware of the risk posed by distraction for some time, and it is clearly evident from accident statistics. Preventive measures coordinated with the Federal Ministry of the Interior are aimed precisely in this direction and are intended to raise drivers’ long-term awareness of this issue. “Distraction is the most common cause of accidents involving personal injury. The use of user-friendly passenger car operating systems must therefore gain importance as quickly as possible in order to make our mobile future safer,” explains AUDIO MOBIL Managing Director Thomas Stottan in this context.

HMI test series as a regulated baseline test for vehicle operating systems

As part of the HMI tests on vehicle operation currently being carried out at the test site, consideration is being given to a test facility that – similar to Euro NCAP – checks the various vehicle operating systems for safety and the resulting distraction potential. The concept for such an institution, which is intended to generate a globally uniform assessment, is in place, and initial discussions have already been held with potential partners.