Relax in your seat. Image courtesy of AHE.Since the days of the horseless carriage, cars have represented technological advancement. Today, as automobiles flood the roads and high tech devices are ubiquitous, the two technology pathways have merged to create cars that are not only at the cutting edge of auto technology, but also represent the current standard in communications, navigation and entertainment.Although advancements in technology make cars safer and more enjoyable, they also cause an increase in hazards if used inappropriately. Since the first radio was installed in a car, circa 1930, driver distraction has been a concern. Now, with the integration of many previously distracting devices into the car itself, distraction concerns remain high and there is the added threat to personal information security.However, as with so many things, knowledge is power. Knowing how your car works and how various devices integrate with it, allows you to customize your experience for both safety from driving threats, and from loss of personal information security.New Car Technologies as DistractionHonda Insight Hands Free Link. Image courtesy of HHD.comWhen it comes to distracted driving, few things are as hazardous as a cell phone. With its multitude of dings, whistles and buzzes, it begs you to look at it. Just a glance, just a one word text. Just a rear-end collision waiting to happen. Furthermore, in many states, using your phone while driving is illegal and will net you a hefty fine.Hands free headsets have been moderately successful in reducing the hazard to drivers by allowing access to voice activated phone features, without having to pick up the phone at all. Additionally, using a hands free device will, in most cases, get you around cell phone laws.However, it takes a certain familiarity with the device to access the features of the phone, a familiarity which many drivers don't have. Once you are fumbling with the headset, it becomes just another hazard.The good news is that while hands free devices are making cell phones slightly safer, auto manufacturers realize the marketability of the safer, high tech car and are building smarter cars. Depending on your driving history, you may remember when cruise control buttons moved from the column to the steering wheel. Likewise, for the radio/CD player controls, moving from the face of the radio to the face of the wheel.2014 Honda Civic HUD. Image courtesy of http://www.extremetech.comIncreasingly in modern cars, driver access to navigation, entertainment and communication is handled through the car itself instead of through portable devices that the driver brings on board. These systems are activated through voice commands to limit the time the driver needs to look away from the road. In some cars, there is even a heads up display projected onto the windshield so that the driver doesn't have to look away at all.Between the auto makers and the software providers, major successes have been made in the effort to reduce driver distraction. Cars will play your favorite music and guide you to your destination without needing you to grab your phone. What cars won't do, yet, is surf Facebook, take a picture, or send a tweet. Thus, with all the improvement, it is still the driver's responsibility to exercise some good judgment and restraint while operating a vehicle.New Car Technologies and Privacy Concerns2013 Honda Civic GPS. Image courtesy of http://sportcarmagz.com/.With the addition of so much new technology to modern autos, it is reasonable to be concerned about privacy. Bluetooth is not a particularly secure technology but it is still the leading interface between mobile devices and onboard systems. GPS navigation systems often store information, like your home address, that anyone might access.All operating systems are vulnerable, to some extent, to viruses and malicious software that track and exploit data that is processed through the system. As automobiles incorporate more applications that allow data sharing between the driver and various networks, these concerns will continue to be valid.How to Deal with the Fear from New Car TechnologiesBuying a car with "less" technology forces a compromise with safety and modern efficiency that is undesirable for many drivers. So, if you are going to have a modern, technologically advanced car, how can you deal with safety and privacy concerns?For the most part, it is reassuring to know that insurance companies, marketing departments, auto manufacturers and even law enforcement cannot access information stored in your vehicle without your permission. That is not to say that illegal data theft can't happen, however.One of the best ways to avoid both safety and security threats is to learn the systems of your car and make conscious decisions about what systems you use and which you turn off. Do this before you drive. There is a handy website provided by Edmunds that addresses technology and privacy concerns.Once you know what systems you are going to use and how they interact with your personal data, learn to use the controls without looking at them. Read your manual to understand the features. Practice using the system while sitting motionless in the driveway. Familiarity will reduce distraction once you are on the road.You can never (at least not yet) stop being an active participant in the driving experience. Paying attention to the road and driving defensively are the best safety measures in any vehicle. However, being familiar with, and using, the technology in your car can help you obtain maximum value from your vehicle.By making careful choices about how and when to use the features of your modern auto, you can reduce the risk of collisions and reduce the exposure of your personal information to potential security threats.
