EPISODE 89: Distracted to Death

Hey War on Cars supporters,

Years ago, I consulted on a TV series about the brain. As part of that project, I spoke to experts with the U.S. Navy about experiments with "head-up displays," technology which projects vital information on a cockpit's windshield so pilots don't have to take their eyes off the skies. In theory, not having to look at an instrument panel even for a second seems like a good idea, especially when you're flying a fighter jet hundreds of miles per hour. But there was just one problem: Expert after expert all told me that flight simulator tests showed that while reading the information projected on the cockpit, pilots could not see what was right in front of them just outside the plane. That's right. Something that was directly in a pilot's field of vision — another plane, a missile, a flock of birds — was essentially invisible to them, largely because of the work the brain had to do to take in whatever information the head-up display was projecting.

The conversations I had with these experts always stuck with me, especially when I was driving. If the average U.S. Navy fighter pilot found it too hard to use tech designed to help them, what was happening to the average American motorists with tech designed to entertain them? That's why reporter Russ Mitchell's recent story in the Los Angeles Times on distracted driving got my attention and prompted me to invite him on the show. This episode is the result. 

If you take anything away from this conversation, I hope it's that you'll talk to your friends and family about the dangers of distracted driving, no matter if it's texting, fiddling with apps or even talking on the phone. Seriously, if you ever call someone and find out that they're driving, tell them you'll talk to them after they've reached their destination. They might protest, but it isn't safe, no matter what they think they know about even hands-free technology.

We'll be back with a bonus episode just for Patreon subscribers soon. On behalf of Aaron and Sarah, you have our sincerest thanks as always for your support.

- Doug

NOTE: This is a general-release episode so it's available wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen to it here in your browser or check out these instructions on how to find and use your private RSS audio link from Patreon. You can also use the Patreon app.

Traffic fatalities in the U.S. are at a 16-year high. One reason? Driver distraction. Today's automobiles are loaded with an almost cinematic level of screens, featuring apps and infotainment systems that blur the distinction between car and smartphone... and that overload the brain's cognitive abilities to a level not even trained military pilots can handle. Russ Mitchell, a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, joins us to discuss his recent story on the deadly consquences of carmakers' and tech companies' race to turn the inside of automobiles into what one researcher called "a candy store of distraction." Plus, why you should never talk on the phone — even hands free — when you're behind the wheel of a car.

This episode is sponsored by Radpower Bikes and Cleverhood.

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LINKS:

"'We are killing people': How technology has made your car 'a candy store of distraction.'" Russ Mitchell in the Los Angeles Times.

Take the "Selective Attention Test" before you listen to this episode.

Read more about Dr. David Strayer's research on distracted driving, via the Applied Cognition Lab at the University of Utah.

Apple's CarPlay is "the smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car," according to Apple.

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This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Our logo is by Dani Finkel of Crucial D Designs.

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