My Experience with Modern Car Technology
Last year, I made the decision to purchase a new car. While it is essentially an updated version of my previous vehicle, I anticipated enhancements in functionality—after all, a few years in the automotive industry can result in significant advancements in design and safety features. I was pleased to find that my expectations were met.
The new model boasts improved cruise control, a warning light integrated into the wing mirrors for when I’m merging into traffic, and a lane departure alert that vibrates the steering wheel if I inadvertently change lanes without signaling. Additionally, it even features a heated steering wheel, which, to be honest, I haven’t yet found a reason to use.
It’s worth mentioning that I don’t consider myself a car enthusiast; I don’t have the expertise or passion that someone like Jeremy Clarkson does. My loyalty lies with a specific brand, and beyond the make and color of my car, I don’t have much knowledge about it. However, there is one aspect of modern car technology that has caught my attention—an aspect that, while touted as progress, I believe poses a significant risk.
In my previous vehicle, I enjoyed an array of convenient features, from the radio to the satellite navigation system, all controlled by physical buttons and a console dial that allowed for intuitive navigation of on-screen options. This setup, in many ways, represented the pinnacle of digital interaction, as it enabled users to operate systems with minimal distraction.
In contrast, my current car has replaced these buttons with a sleek touchscreen interface. While it certainly looks modern and sophisticated, I can’t shake the feeling that this change is a regression concerning road safety. Yes, my car allows me to send text messages via CarPlay—a feature that some may see as an advancement—but this requires me to divert my attention from the road for a moment to glance at the touchscreen. How can this be deemed safe?
Some functions in the car demand even more focus, sometimes presenting a complex menu of options that require careful selection. For instance, changing radio stations used to be as simple as pressing a button, a task that drivers have instinctively performed without needing to take their eyes off the road since the days of Marconi. Now, with the touchscreen, I find myself looking to the left at a screen instead of straight ahead to change the station when the familiar theme tune of The Archers plays.
If using a mobile phone while driving is considered dangerous enough to result in penalties, why do we accept that diverting our gaze to jab at a touchscreen is safe, especially when statistics show that 97 percent of new cars come equipped with this technology? I’ve often brushed off my concerns as the complaints of someone who’s simply out of touch with modernity. However, this morning, I discovered I am not alone in my apprehension. A recent evaluation of ten different in-car touchscreen systems by Auto Express revealed that, in some instances, it takes drivers an astonishing 22 seconds to complete a command.
As noted by the magazine, “As touchscreens become more complex, they are increasingly distracting. Glitches are also common, with screens occasionally freezing or failing to respond promptly, causing drivers to look away from the road longer than necessary.” The magazine’s conclusion is unequivocal: “If smartphones are dangerous distractions, aren’t touchscreens even more so?”
So why have touchscreens become a standard feature in modern car design? According to Auto Express, “It all boils down to cost. By consolidating numerous manual controls into a single digital interface atop the dashboard, manufacturers can significantly reduce time and expenses associated with design, development, production, and assembly, resulting in substantial savings across the board.”
And there you have it—another example of technology designed to benefit the producer rather than the consumer. So, I urge you, keep your eyes on the road ahead.
