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The American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) found that the levels of mental distraction can last as long as 27 seconds after using voice activation technology when operating a vehicle. Other distractions such as changing a radio station can also linger according to the AAA Foundation safety study. Even at the slow speed of 25 mph, a vehicle can travel the length of three football fields in the 27 seconds following a distraction.

Amy Parmenter, a spokesperson for AAA, said, “This should be a wake-up call to anyone who feels safe texting while sitting at a red light. Just because you can hit the gas when the light turns green, doesn’t mean you’re good to go.”

How was the study conducted?

AAA worked with researchers from the University of Utah in testing 257 drivers ages 21 to 70 who used voice activated technology and drove in ten 2015 model vehicles.  They also tested an additional 65 drivers who were between the ages of 21 and 68 who used three types of smartphone technology. “All systems studied increased mental distraction to potentially unsafe levels,” although the systems that performed the best had “fewer errors, required less time on task and were relatively easy to use.”

In the study, driver distraction was rated on a scale of 1 to 5; 1 being “relatively safe” or equal to the distraction level caused by listening to the radio while driving. A 5 was considered “highly challenging in such a way as to overload a driver’s attention.”

Vehicle voice activated systems that performed the best in the testing were those in the Chevy Equinox and Buick Lacrosse which both scored a 2.4 distraction rating. The highest rating of 4.6 was scored by the Mazda 6.

"Automakers often promote everything their connected cars can do, but this research paints a frightening picture of what drivers can't do if they use the popular features," Parmenter said. "Hands free does not mean risk free. It's that simple."

“The AAA Foundation study is important for all of us to understand and take very seriously. Distracted driving causes accidents, injuries and deaths. Driving requires our full attention,” said Naples Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Florida prohibits texting while driving.

Florida law does not prohibit using hands-free devices, but it does prohibit texting while driving, a major distraction.  

Florida State Statute 316.305 prohibits texting while driving in the State of Florida. Florida has identified Distracted Driving as one of eight traffic safety priority concerns.

1. Prevention:Education and enforcement programs aimed at reducing distracted driving.
2. Criminal Justice System Support:Educate law enforcement officers on Florida traffic crash report distracted driving data collection; educate law enforcement, judges and magistrates on the existing laws applicable to distracted driving (careless driving).
3. Communication:Public awareness and education activities targeting at risk demographics and geographic locations.
4. "Put It Down"  Proclamation

For more information, please refer to the Distracted Driving Emphasis Area of Florida's 2012 Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

Some sobering statistics:

• The National Safety Council reports that texting while driving causes 1.6 million accidents per year.
• The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis reports that there are 330 thousand injuries per year as the result of texting and driving.
• The NHTSA says that texting while driving makes the driver 23 times more likely to crash.

Naples Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.