“This study constitutes the most in-depth analysis to date of mental distractions behind the wheel. As part of this effort, AAA has already met with safety advocates and provided copies of the report to CEOs of all major U.S. Educating vehicle owners and mobile device users about the responsible use and safety risks for in-vehicle technologies.ĪAA also is using the findings to promote dialogue with policy makers, safety advocates and industry to ensure that these emerging in-vehicle technologies won’t lead to unintentional compromises in public safety.
Disabling certain functionalities of voice-to-text technologies such as using social media or interacting with e-mail and text messages so that they are inoperable while the vehicle is in motion.Limiting use of voice-activated technology to core driving-related activities such as climate control, windshield wipers and cruise control, and to ensure these applications do not lead to increased safety risk due to mental distraction while the car is moving.“Increased mental workload and cognitive distractions can lead to a type of tunnel vision or inattention blindness where motorists don’t see potential hazards right in front of them.” Based on this research, AAA urges the automotive and electronics industries to join us in exploring: “These findings reinforce previous research that hands-free is not risk-free,” said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger.
#DR DRIVING ALL DRIVERS#
Listening and responding to in-vehicle, voice-activated email features increased mental workload and distraction levels of the drivers to a “3” rating or one of extensive risk.Talking on a cell-phone, both handheld and hands-free, resulted in a “2” or a moderate risk.Tasks such as listening to the radio ranked as a category “1” level of distraction or a minimal risk.Similar to the Saffir-Simpson scale used for hurricanes, the levels of mental distraction are represented on a scale: Researchers used the results to rate the levels of mental distraction drivers experienced while performing each of the tasks. Using established research protocols borrowed from aviation psychology and a variety of performance metrics, 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. A special electroencephalographic (EEG)-configured skull cap was used to chart participants’ brain activity so that researchers could determine mental workload.