Study Shows Hands-Free Devices Cause Driver Distraction

Much has been said over the last several years about the dangers of manual distraction from cell phone use or texting while driving. However, manual distractionis not the only type of driver distraction, and a new study shows that distraction from hands-free devices can also be a significant danger on theroads.

When it comes to driver distraction, there are three types, each that causes a driver to lose focus on the task of safe driving:

• Cognitive distraction, in which the driver's mind is on something other than driving. Cognitive distraction includes daydreaming, thinking about one's daily tasks list, concentrating on a conversation in the vehicle, or driving while in an emotionally-charged state of mind.
• Manual distraction, in which a driver's hands are removed from the steering wheel. Common types of manual distraction include adjusting stereo dials, reaching for something in the vehicle, eating or drinking, applying makeup, or dialing a cell phone.
• Visual distraction, in which the driver's eyes are removed from the roadway. Visual distraction includes looking at other passengers; rubbernecking, or looking at something outside of the vehicle; reading maps or checking a GPS device; reading a text or looking at a cell phone; and personal grooming.

For years, hands-free devices have been touted as a safer for driving, because the use of these devices may minimize or eliminate manual distraction. Remember,texting while driving is considered to be among the greatest driving distractions because it includes all three types of distraction: cognitive, manual,and visual.

However, even eliminating manual distraction, use of hands-free devices still causes cognitive distraction, and in some cases, visual distraction as well.Visual distraction often occurs as people check "voice texts" before sending them in order to make sure the intended message is relayed.

But even without visual or manual distraction, a new study says, the cognitive distraction can impede safe driving.

Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that when using hands-free devices equipped on certain vehicles, "it can take 27 seconds for a driver using a voice-activated entertainment system to regain full alertness after making a command from behind the wheel. That means a car going 25 mph can travel the length of three football fields before a driver�s brain fully recovers from the act of dialing a phone number or changing music using increasingly popular in-car entertainment systems."

An associated problem with driver distraction is that each driver thinks he or she is better at driving while using a device than other drivers doing theexact same thing. We tend to overestimate our abilities and underestimate the dangers of distracted driving:

"Among the 573 adult drivers surveyed, nearly seven out of 10 thought their brain was distracted for only up to 10 seconds when completing an in-vehicletask, such as dialing a phone number or changing a radio station. But 88 percent said they think other drivers are 'very distracted or somewhat distracted'when using a device to talk or text."

Certainly, use of hands-free devices may be safer than using a handheld device to dial or even text; however, being "safer" than a dangerous habit doesnot mean it is not without its own risks or dangers. One would hope that no driver would travel the length of three football fields--or more--withoutpaying full attention to the road. The safest way to avoid distracted driving accidents? Avoid anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind off ofsafe driving.