Research Shows that Hands-Free is Not Risk Free

Voice-driven, in-vehicle technologies have become increasingly common with peoples’ desire to stay connected by texting, talking on the phone or even using Facebook. New findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Utah show that dangerous distractions can exist even when drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, undermining driver attention and impairing safe driving abilities. This research examines the mind of the driver, and highlights the mental, or cognitive, distractions caused by a variety of tasks performed behind the wheel.

The research team at the University of Utah measured brainwaves, eye movement and other metrics to assess what happens to drivers’ mental workload when they attempt to do multiple things at once. Drivers engaged in common tasks, from listening to an audio book or talking on the phone, to listening and responding to voice-activated emails while behind the wheel.

The findings show that even when a driver’s eyes are on the road and hands are on the wheel, cognitive distractions where their mind is not focused on the task of driving cause significant impairments, such as:

Suppressed brain activity in the areas needed for safe driving;
Slower reaction time (to peripheral detection test and to a vehicle braking ahead);
Missed cues and decreased accuracy (to peripheral detection test); and
Decreased visual scanning of the driving environment (tunnel vision, of sorts)
The research provides some of the strongest evidence yet that “hands-free” doesn’t mean risk free. Motorists should focus on the road when driving and only use potentially distracting technologies while safely parked. AAA Driver Training Programs is developing a brochure Distracted While Driving-What’s on YOUR Mind? that will be available for purchase at the beginning of October.