Cognitive Distraction in the Wild: Next Steps-Addressing a Not-So-Humdrum Conundrum

Is Talking to Your Car Dangerous? It Depends: Prologue to the Special Section

Cognitive distraction represents an important and growing traffic safety issue, particularly with the increasing computerization of cars. The target paper in this special section describes a protocol for assessing the distraction potential of information and entertainment systems. Cognitive distraction has specific relevance to the challenges facing driving safety but also reflects the more pervasive challenge of generalizing findings in the face of complex contextual and compensatory influences. Peer commentaries from five driving safety experts sketch paths forward in assessing the distraction potential of in-vehicle information technology. A simple, definitive statement regarding the risk of talking to your car is appealing, but the complexity of driver behavior may make such a statement unachievable.

Driven to Distraction

We address several themes that emerged in the commentaries related to our target article. First, we consider the relationship between cognitive distraction and crash risk. Second, we discuss the development of our cognitive distraction scale. Third, we weigh issues of self-regulation, appropriate baselines, and satisficing. Finally, we identify several areas where additional research is needed to refine our understanding of driver distraction and crash risk.