(Newswire.net — October 9, 2014) — A groundbreaking research conducted last year found that even when drivers’ eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel, their attention is not focused on the road so they can be dangerously distracted if operating hands-free devices.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reveled, the results show that the accuracy of voice recognition software significantly influences the rate of distraction.
On the five point scale, Toyota’s Entune® system garnered the lowest cognitive distraction ranking (at 1.7), which is similar to listening to an audio book. In comparison, the Chevrolet MyLink® resulted in a high level of cognitive distraction (rating of 3.7).
Other systems tested included the Hyundai Blue Link (rating 2.2), the Chrysler Uconnect™ (rating 2.7), Ford SYNC with MyFord Touch® (rating 3.0) and the Mercedes COMAND® (rating 3.1).
According to a report, there are three categories of distraction. Listening to a voice massages is defined as a category 2, while texting and e-mailing messages while driving, even if using state-of-the-art in-vehicle technologies, was more distracting than using these systems to listen to messages and are defined as distraction category 3.
However, the research concludes that the quality of the systems’ voice had no impact on distraction levels, though listening of synthetic voices qualifies as category 2 distraction.
“We already know that drivers can miss stop signs, pedestrians and other cars while using voice technologies because their minds are not fully focused on the road ahead,” said Bob Darbelnet, chief executive officer of AAA.
“We now understand that current shortcomings in these products, intended as safety features, may unintentionally cause greater levels of cognitive distraction,” he added.
“Technologies used in the car that rely on voice communications may have unintended consequences that adversely affect road safety,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
“It is clear that not all voice systems are created equal, and today’s imperfect systems can lead to driver distraction,” continued Darbelnet.
The research aimed to a technology developers to spark manufacture of safer systems in the future.