Communications of the ACM
Hands-Free Talking and Texting Are Unsafe, Report Finds
Research found that hands-free devices tax a driver's mental workload, increasing distractions, slowing reaction time, and compromising brain function.
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 Wednesday (June 12) by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
"Our research shows that hands-free is not risk-free," says University of Utah psychology Professor David Strayer, lead author of the study, "Measuring Cognitive Distraction in the Automobile," which he conducted for the foundation arm of the nonprofit AAA, formerly known as the American Automobile Association.
"These new, speech-based technologies in the car can overload the driver's attention and impair their ability to drive safely," says Strayer. "An unintended consequence of trying to make driving safer — by moving to speech-to-text, in-vehicle systems — may actually overload the driver and make them less safe."
"Just because you can update Facebook while driving doesn't mean that it is safe to do so," he adds. "Don't assume that if your eyes are on the road and your hands are on the wheel that you are unimpaired. If you don't pay attention then you are a potential hazard on the roadway."
In a 2006 study, Strayer first showed talking on a hands-free cell phone was just as distracting as using a hand-held phone while driving, but the message has failed to fully connect with the public, with many people believing hands-free devices are safer. But now, with the backing of the AAA, Strayer hopes people realize they are risking their lives and those of others by using distracting hands-free phone, e-mailing, texting, and social media technologies while driving.
Strayer conducted the study with these other members of the University of Utah Department of Psychology: Joel M. Cooper, research assistant professor of psychology; and doctoral students Jonna Turrill, James Coleman, and Nate Medeiros-Ward, and Francesco Biondi.
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