Effects of vehicle’s human machine interface devices on driving distractions

Abstract Driving distraction is an important cause of traffic crashes, as it diverts the driver’s attention away from the primary driving task. This paper studies the engagement frequency of drivers in distracting activities due to modern devices used in vehicle dashboards, to improve roadway safety. Data were collected from Jordanian drivers through two questionnaires. In the first, a wide range of distracting activities and their influence on crashes were considered. The focus of the second questionnaire was on factors affecting the driver’s distraction by the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) screens in vehicles. The collected data were analyzed statistically. Several significant factors were found that distract drivers, including but not limited to the use of HMI screens, the driver’s age, experience and occupation. This paper raises public awareness of the risks of distracted driving due to modern devices, in order to boost traffic safety.