Sophisticated in-car “infotainment” systems are putting road users’ lives at risk and are more dangerous than banned texting, according to new research.

Integrated suites that combine satellite navigation with music and internet systems are often needlessly complicated and can take drivers’ eyes off the road for more up to 40 seconds at a time, scientists in the US have found.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) analysed 30 popular new vehicles released in 2017 and found that nearly half had infotainment systems that placed a “very high” demand on their users’ concentration.