We should have a scientific study. Measure the proportion of Morris Minors on the road, and the proportion of Morris Minors involved in accidents. If the accident rate is less than the occurrence rate then we should all be required to convert to Morris Minors, and everyone would be safer. Steve Swift, Alton
Gadgets in the automobile do not have to be distracting if people would use them properly. In other words there is no reason to drive and do the 10 different things that people try to do as they drive. Driving is the only time I have found to be away from all the things in life that are distracting. Linda Hankins, Wyoming, USA
Are gadgets too distracting? Well I suppose they can be, but then what about worrying about speed cameras, diversions signs, strange turning instructions, badly designed street signs, pedestrians, police cars, sirens, billboards, bus lanes, contraflows, one way systems, “Can I have a McDonalds?”, Sherman Tanks taking the ‘little dahlings’ to school, idiots on the road, idiots who plan the roads, complete idiots who put speed bumps at precisely the wrong place, congestion charges and of course those aimless individuals who seem to drive around with a wig on their laps (at least I think it’s a wig)? With all that some researcher thinks music is a distraction? Martin Wright, Birmingham
Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they? “I was distracted by my sunroof” sounds better than “I wasn’t looking where I was going”. Gadgets are distracting, though. Computers and mobiles are fairly standard but every smart-Alec car gadget designer has to re-invent the whole gizmo from scratch. They are much more complicated than they need to be and have unhelpful symbols such as 0/ or ¬. Make them simple and standard, please. Frank Upton, Solihull
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I find that my in-car DVD player, satelite navigation, CD interchanger, hands-free mobile phone and PDA actually make me a much better driver. In fact I am actually driving now whilst speaking on the phone, writing this e-mail to you, asking directions from sat nav, watching Shrek 2 on my DVD and changing all six of my CDs whilst in the fast lane of the M6. I have got a load of idiots driving on the wrong side of the road shouting and beeping at me - if only other people could drive as well as me! Tim Richards, Whaley Bridge
Gadgets are not inherently distracting - the problem is poorly-designed gadgets. Using your mobile, with a properly integrated headset, should be no more distracting than turning on the lights. Turning the radio up or down (or changing station) should not involve looking at it - these functions are now more often found on a stalk behind the wheel, and are as easy to use as the windscreen wipers. As for satellite navigation, good systems already provide most information audibly, and by preference should mute the radio (but not the phone) as they do so, and many provide an option which turns off the screen above a certain speed. H Kieran, London
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