MP3 players distract drivers, study shows
According to recent research, 90 percent of the new cars sold in the United States currently come equipped with MP3 player connectivity. Some safety experts believe that the increasing use of MP3 players in automobiles is leading to an increase in distracted driving behavior, despite the efforts of automakers and after-market sound system manufacturers to equip the products with enhanced safety features. According to safety experts, the devices intended to decrease the amount of distraction caused by MP3 equipped cars may actually be adding to the problem.
A recent safety study compelled 50 drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 to attempt to select a specific song from an MP3 player playlist using either an MP3 player or an after market accessory intended to simplify song selection while operating a driving simulator. According to the test results, MP3 players can draw a driver’s attention from the road, and the length of the duration of this distraction is determined by the length of the playlist, as well as the type of device being used. Study subjects employing an aftermarket MP3 controller actually took their eyes off the road for a longer time period on average than the drivers using the player itself to find the song.
As a Burlingame car accident lawyer, I have seen the damage that can happen when drivers take their eyes away from the road ahead. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please consider discussing your case with a personal injury attorney in Burlingame.
