Voice commands may reduce the need to touch a screen, but they can still require drivers to listen, process information and respond. A lengthy or demanding conversation can also compete with the mental attention required for driving.
The same principle applies to entertainment. Listening to a familiar playlist may demand less attention than watching a video or navigating a complex menu. Nevertheless, the level of distraction depends on the task, the driver and the conditions on the road.
The NRSPP ' s review of scientific literature specifically considers the effects of both handheld and handsfree mobile phones, as well as in-vehicle infotainment systems. It highlights the importance of understanding how technology affects driving performance rather than assuming that a hands-free function removes the risk.
Drivers should therefore avoid assuming that a task is safe simply because it can be completed using voice commands. If an interaction requires significant concentration, the safest option is to postpone it until the vehicle is parked in a safe location.
When entertainment becomes a safety risk
Entertainment systems are now an established feature of the driving experience. Touchscreens can control music, phone connections, navigation and other vehicle functions, while connected devices offer access to a wide range of digital content.
The challenge is determining which functions support the driver and which compete with the task of driving.
Navigation systems, for example, can help drivers plan routes and identify upcoming turns. However, entering an address or changing a route while moving can still create a distraction. Setting a destination before departure and using voice guidance can reduce the need for interaction on the road.
Video entertainment presents a different challenge. Unlike audio content, videos display moving images that can attract the driver ' s eyes. Even if the driver intends to watch only briefly, an engaging scene or notification may encourage further glances.
Vehicle design can help address this risk. Austroads has developed guidance on incorporating human factors into in-vehicle human-machine interfaces. The guidance focuses on designing systems so essential functions can be operated safely and intuitively, with minimal visual and cognitive demand. It covers in-vehicle information, communication and entertainment systems in both light and heavy vehicles.
Manufacturers can help by simplifying menus, reducing unnecessary steps and designing interfaces that minimise the attention required to operate essential functions.
Ultimately, technology should support the driver ' s primary task rather than compete with it.
What fleet managers can do
For fleet operators, distracted driving is both a driver behaviour issue and a technology management challenge. Connected devices can improve navigation,
26 ISSUE 61 OCTOBER 2026 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU