The notorious B.I.T: The effects of a ransomware and a screen failure on distraction in automated driving

Connected and automated vehicles are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which may jeopardise their safe efficient operation and, as a result, negatively affect drivers’ behaviour. A major concern for such cyber-attacks is visual distraction inside the vehicle, one of main causes road accidents. In this empirical research using driving simulator, 38 participants drove in conditionally vehicle experienced two types failure: explicit (i.e., ransomware attack appearing on in-vehicle screen) silent turn signals failed activate screen instrument cluster), while engaged non-driving related task. Drivers’ gaze behaviour, terms number duration fixation, were collected analysed. Results showed that HMI where was displayed area interest drivers looked at most. The majority notice signal faulty. Nearly half more than 12 s driving. No effect timing failure behaviour observed. This evidenced attacks distractive pose significant risks safety – with participant crashing after resuming manual control. Data also connected unlikely meet NHTSA’s guidelines use devices.