Skip to main content

Car owners fear in-car connectivity technology

In-car technology is revolutionising the driving experience, especially when it comes to connectivity options, including mobile device connection to the Internet, navigation systems, emergency response systems, and driving habit monitoring devices. Yet, it is claimed that more than three in four car owners (76 per cent) report that they believe in-car connectivity technologies are too distracting and even dangerous to have. In addition, more than half (55 per cent) argue that automakers have taken technolog
August 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
In-car technology is revolutionising the driving experience, especially when it comes to connectivity options, including mobile device connection to the Internet, navigation systems, emergency response systems, and driving habit monitoring devices. Yet, it is claimed that more than three in four car owners (76 per cent) report that they believe in-car connectivity technologies are too distracting and even dangerous to have. In addition, more than half (55 per cent) argue that automakers have taken technology for road use too far.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,634 US adults (ages 18 and over) of whom 1,991 own or lease a car, truck, minivan or SUV, surveyed online between May 7 and May 15, 2012 by Harris Interactive.

Beyond fearing how connectivity technology may impede driver focus, a strong majority of car owners (62 per cent) also worry about how technology may interfere with their privacy, including where and how they drive. Just over two in five US car owners (41 per cent) believe that their insurance rates could increase because of what in-car technology reveals about their driving habits. This is more of a concern among younger drivers between 18 and 35 (46 per cent) and men (46 per cent).

American car owners are, however, conflicted when it comes to technology and their cars. Three in five (61 per cent) view their car as a haven from the outside world and thus don't want to always be connected while driving. Yet, more than half of car owners find that in-car connectivity makes driving more enjoyable (58 per cent) and makes them feel safer (57 per cent) while on the road.  Men in particular enjoy having connectivity in their cars (64%) more than women (53%) and feel safer with technology on-board (61%) compared to women (54%).  

More insights and trends on consumer preferences for over 60 advanced automotive technologies can be found in the 2012 Harris Poll AutoTechcast study. Among an array of topics, the study evaluates distracted driving habits, preferences for mobile applications within the connected car of the future, and the perceptions of time needed to offset premiums of alternative powertrain technologies.

To learn more about the 2012 AutoTechcast study, which is available now, visit: %$Linker: External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal HarrisInteractive.com www.harrisinteractive.com/Products/AutoTECHCASTUS.aspx false http://www.harrisinteractive.com/Products/AutoTECHCASTUS.aspx false false%>.

Related Content

  • FLIR aims to build on US successes with infrared-spectrum cameras
    October 24, 2012
    FLIR is looking at this show to promote awareness of the successes its infrared-spectrum cameras have achieved in the US market, and to emulate those gains elsewhere in the world. Infrared cameras score over their visible light competitors for applications such as Automated Incident Detection (AID) and vulnerable road user detection, according to Dan Dietrich, the company’s Manager, Traffic & ITS. “Detecting bicycles and pedestrians is challenging for visible-spectrum cameras in certain conditions but becau
  • Webinar: ITS European Congress
    May 22, 2014
    ITS Helsinki has announced a webinar on 4 June to present the congress programme and help visitors plan their trip to the European congress. Eric Sampson, senior congress programme advisor, will present this year’s programme by highlighting some of the most engaging sessions and events of the week, including the opening ceremony, the three plenary sessions and the closing sessions, as well as the eco-driving competition, the White Night and more. Didier Gorteman, director of Congresses, will introduce
  • Car2Go launches e-car rental service in central Paris
    January 17, 2019
    Daimler subsidiary Car2go has made its electric car rental service available to Parisian users in a 77km square area within the city’s Périphérique motorway. Drivers are charged between €0.24 to €0.34 per minute depending on the location and time of the rental, and can charge the vehicles at around 1,100 charging stations in the French capital. The details flesh out Car2go’s announcement last year of plans to deploy 400 electric Smart EQ Fortwo vehicles in the city. The company intends to add more ve
  • ITS America hosting panel discussion at CES 2016
    December 4, 2015
    ITS America is hosting a panel discussion on 5 January as a part of the Broadband Conference Track at the consumer Technology Association CES 2016 conference. The discussion, Intelligent Transportation: Are We There Yet? is moderated by ITS America president and CEO Regina Hopper, with speakers from AAA, General Motors and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, The panel will explore the powerful nexus of data, mobility and vehicles that is coming out of test beds and onto American