
credit AAA
“Using hands-free devices to talk, text or send e-mail while driving
is distracting and risky, contrary to what many people believe, says a
new University of Utah study issued today by the AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety.” according to the University of Utah.
Further, according to
AAA, “Hands-free technologies might make it easier for motorists to
text, talk on the phone, or even use Facebook while they drive, but new
findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety show dangerous mental
distractions exist even when drivers keep their hands on the wheel and
their eyes on the road. The research found that as mental workload and
distractions increase reaction time slows, brain function is compromised,
drivers scan the road less and miss visual cues, potentially resulting
in drivers not seeing items right in front of them including stop signs
and pedestrians. This is the most comprehensive study of its kind to look
at the mental distraction of drivers and arms AAA with evidence to appeal
to the public to not use these voice-to-text features while their vehicle
is in motion.”
You can read more about the
University of Utah study here.