Are hands free technologies really safer?
In a recent posting on our site we discussed a Texas A&M Transportation Institute study that showed that hands free technology may not be the safer alternative that it is made out to be when behind the wheel (Read post here). And now a recent study sponsored by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety further confirms those findings. University of Utah Psychologist Robert Strayer set out to see how various activities behind the wheel impact a driver’s ability to stay focused and drive safely. His findings concluded that voice activated systems when used to receive and respond to texts and emails while driving were more distracting when compared to talking on the phone (hands free or not), talking to a passenger, or listening to the radio. This is a concerning result since most of the current automobile manufacturers already have or are planning to roll out additional hands free features for drivers to stay connected while driving. For example the iOS7, which is going to be the newest operating system by Apple for the iPhone plans to have the option to interface their texting platform with automobile displays to allow drivers to easily send and receive text messages in a hands free manner. This may seem like a cool option to have, but with Strayer’s findings the AAA wouldn’t agree.
AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet said “With a predicted five-fold increase in infotainment systems in new vehicles by 2018, AAA is calling for action as result of this landmark research. There is a looming public safety crisis ahead with the future proliferation of these in-vehicle technologies. It’s time to consider limiting new and potentially dangerous mental distractions built into cars, particularly with the common public misperception that hands-free means risk-free.” Mr. Darbelnet went on to say: “These findings reinforce previous research that hands-free is not risk-free,” said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger. “Increased mental workload and cognitive distractions can lead to a type of tunnel vision or inattention blindness where motorists don’t see potential hazards right in front of them.”
The AAA believes strongly in this driver safety research and is pushing auto manufacturers and legislators to limit to the voice driven, in-vehicle technologies to core driving tasks such as turning on or off the windshield wipers, lights, sunroof, etc. “This study constitutes the most in-depth analysis to date of mental distractions behind the wheel. AAA is hopeful that it will serve as a stepping stone toward working in collaboration with automakers to promote our shared goal of improving safety for all drivers,” said Darbelnet.
How do you feel? If the research shows that these activities do impact driver safety behind the wheel, should these options be limited in vehicles being sold?
Click Here to find out more on the AAA hands free / distracted driving study.
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