As distracted driving becomes a bigger problem on our roads, states are strengthening or enacting laws that ban texting and/or talking on a handheld phone while driving. Many of these states still allow drivers to use hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth for talking or voice command for texting, as a “safer” alternative. Car manufacturers have also started equipping cars with hands-free infotainment systems that allow drivers to make calls, send texts and emails, and play music with voice command. Even Apple is releasing an in-car system that would allow iPhone users to access their phone without physically operating it.
But are hands-free devices truly safer? According to a June 2013 study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and researchers at the University of Utah, not really. In fact, they can create a false sense of security.
We know that visual distractions, such as text messaging and any other activities that take our eyes off the road and our hands off the wheel, are dangerous. But the researchers at the University of Utah set out to see if mental, or cognitive, distractions are any safer. The result? Researchers found that mental distractions are just as dangerous as visual distractions.
According to the study, hands-free devices can overload the driver’s attention and impair driving abilities. As reported in the study’s news release, “…reaction times slow, brain function is compromised, drivers scan the road less and miss visual cues.” That means drivers could miss anything from a stop sign to a pedestrian. Here’s how different hands-free devices ranked in level of danger:
- Mild: Listening to the radio or audiobook and similar tasks
- Moderate: Talking on a handheld or hands-free cellphone
- High: Using voice-activated texting or email
So while hands-free devices might keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, they still take your mental focus off the road, which puts you at risk of a crash. AAA suggests that drivers limit their use of voice command to driving-related activities, such as climate control, windshield wipers, and cruise control. You can go even further by completely disabling voice command for texting and email so that you can give your full attention to the road.