Apps in cars are a dangerous distraction

I generally buy basic cars as there “is less to go wrong” and I think the same would apply here.

I also do not think that the more technology in cars the better. It’s just more to go wrong and more to have fixed by a specialist (read expensive).

Here’s an example:

I used to drive an audi A4 (B5) and I loved it. You can feel exactly what the wheels are doing, exactly where all the grip is, even during braking. The engine responded to your foot exactly and the steering was precise.

I took it in for a service at a main dealer and got a brand new A4 to drive for the duration. Basically the engine was too powerful for the front wheels, the steering was so numb and lifeless I nearly crashed, the brakes were overly servo’d, the “hand” brake was a button, you just felt completely detached from the driving experience.

Which is my point. If you distract the driver too much from driving by adding lots of “gizmos” then who is going to do the driving? The sensors? the EMS? the CAN?

Call me old fashioned but I want a new car that doesn’t bong all the time I get in it, that doesn’t fall apart, that actually feels like I’m connected to it (driving wise) and doesn’t cost a fortune to fix.

Considering all of the above, I cannot find a car that appeals to me in the modern market, but I have no choice if I need economy. Talk about catch 22.

Does Which? know where I can buy a simple economic car that isn’t a massive box of plastic with tons of driver aides draped over it in the name of “progress”?

oh and isn’t a 1.0 euro box that is so slow its dangerous

There is a huge amount of research to show that drivers distracted by phone-calls are as fast to react as drunken drivers. And the effect lasts for a few minutes after the conversation ends. So on basic safety grounds their needs to be legislative action as otherwise the safety position will go by default.

France banned the iPod as the maximum loudness was dangerous to hearing though other countries allowed them in freely. However the French stance has now been seen as correct and the maximum volume reduced. Though it should be repeated lengthy use will damage hearing even at the reduced level. A Which? campaign here : )

You cannot rely on big business to necessarily do the sensible thing. If anything you could almost bet against it.

Dean has got it right – I agree with him.
Apart from the wireless and perhaps sat nav I think all other apps should only work when the car is stopped – thereby avoiding any driving distraction.
Referring to Dean’s last paragraph – have a look at a Citroen C3 or C1 – they are about as basic as you can get these days and are economical.

Yes, me too. This sounds like a recipe for completely avoidable road deaths

Isn’t there currently a law that says a television cannot be placed in a car where the driver can see it? All we need to do is adapt this law to relate to any form of screen that is not dedicated solely to driving needs.

“It’s great that manufacturers are attempting to improve the in-car experience of their new models” – no it isn’t. If you want to improve your travel experience, catch the bus and use your gadgets to your heart’s content.

Agree with Sophie Rob Dean and Gradivus – Drivers must concentrate on driving and stop being distracted. I plan journeys with maps beforehand – I carry a sat nav but never use it on the move.

Far too many car drivers are bad drivers and cannot even cope with “distractions” like road signs and road junctions many even admit they don’t know what the speed limit is.now -.let alone even more ‘apps’

“Apps to death” more like.