Distracted by Design : A Qualitative Study of Driver Perceptions of In-Vehicle Infotainment Systems as a Source of Distraction

Sammanfattning

Modern in-vehicle infotainment systems have become increasingly sophisticated asautomotive manufacturers continue to introduce new digital features and interfacedesigns. These systems support various tasks, such as navigation, communication anddriver awareness, while also providing entertainment, but are increasingly dependent ontouchscreens and menu-based interaction.The aim of this study is to examine how drivers perceive infotainment systems as asource of distraction while driving. The study was conducted using semi-structuredinterviews with drivers of varying ages and driving experience. The collected data wasanalyzed using a hybrid thematic analysis using Innovation Resistance Theory as itstheoretical framework.The findings indicate that drivers are generally accepting of infotainment systems andtheir functionality, especially phone-related features, such as navigation, phone callsand music. However, informants express frustration with the lack of tactile feedback,unnecessary features and nested menu structures, particularly regarding basic carfunctions, such as air conditioning, windscreen wipers and heated seats. The findingshighlight how the majority of drivers interviewed in this study see the infotainmentsystem as a source of distraction and thus display avoidance patterns while driving.The findings show that there are three types of avoidance patterns while driving due tosafety concerns caused by distraction: general avoidance, where drivers avoid thesystem entirely while driving; situational avoidance, where use is restricted tolower-demand driving contexts and lastly, system-driven avoidance, where perceivedcomplexity leads drivers to limit their interaction with the system.