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October 8, 2014

AAA: Hands-free devices distract drivers

  • New systems let drivers tune the radio, send a text or make a phone call while keeping their hands on the wheel, but many are so error-prone or complex they require more concentration.
    • By JOAN LOWY
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON — Just because you can talk to your car doesn't mean you should. Two new studies have found that voice-activated smartphones and dashboard infotainment systems may be making the distracted-driving problem worse instead of better.

    The systems let drivers do things like tune the radio, send a text message, or make a phone call while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, but many of these systems are so error-prone or complex that they require more concentration from drivers rather than less, according to studies released Tuesday by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Utah.


     
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