Vehicles with passenger screens used to display films and video games should be kept off choice lists due to their potential to distract drivers, according to FleetCheck.

Studies indicate passenger displays create a high level of distraction for the driver

So-called ‘co-pilot’ screens are increasingly fitted to higher-end cars, and Peter Golding, MD at FleetCheck, said they should be factored into risk management policies as studies indicate they create a high level of distraction for the driver.

“There is already research showing driver screen technology such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can dramatically affect reaction times behind the wheel and, more recently, there have also been similar findings about passenger screens.

“A report from Tongji University in China indicates that driver behaviour becomes more erratic when the co-pilot display is being used and, again, reaction times are affected because of distractions from sound and vision.”

Golding said previous academic research has indicated that the effects of driver distraction are comparable with drug and alcohol use – and warned that fleets should be considering the effect of co-pilot screens on driving performance.

“The interiors of cars have changed massively in just a few years. Many manufacturers have followed the Tesla example of putting almost all controls on touchscreens and, as a result, some employers have guidance about using voice control whenever possible.

“However, there are times when the voice control fails and manually using the screen is unavoidable, such as to operate heating controls. This can involve taking your eyes off the road for extended periods of time, which is an obvious risk.

“Our view is that fleets need to do everything possible to engage with drivers and help them to use this technology as safely as possible, even though there are often no clear solutions.”

Golding added that risk management policies could be modified to minimise the impact of screens on fleet road safety, and that some fleets had already taken this step.

When it came to co-pilot screens, the obvious solution was to bar models with them from the fleet, he elaborated.

“Driver screens are almost always part of the control layout of the vehicle and, while they are probably not a positive development for road safety, they need to be used.

“In contrast, passenger screens serve no real practical purpose for businesses operating vehicles and are there purely for the entertainment of the passenger. It’s difficult to arrive at guidance that allows them to be used safely and probably the most effective step is to keep vehicles with them fitted off choice lists.”