AUTOMOTIVE: In-Vehicle Infotainment Systems are especially distracting to older drivers

PORTLAND — New AAA Foundation research suggests focusing on older drivers could hold the key to safer in-vehicle technology for everyone. New in-vehicle infotainment technology has the potential to increase comfort and extend mobility for older drivers, but first it has to stop distracting them.

On average, older drivers (ages 55-75) removed their eyes and attention from the road for more than eight seconds longer than younger drivers (ages 21-36) when performing simple tasks like programming navigation or tuning the radio using in-vehicle infotainment technology, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.