A new US-based study suggests that even using a hands-free system doubles the distraction potential, while those using speech-to-text are three times more distracted than a driver on their own just listening to the radio.
The research was commissioned by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and involved drivers aged between 18-30 and with an average of 6.9 years of driving experience.
AAA President and CEO Robert L Darbelnet says bluntly that carmakers need to slow the development of in-car communication systems, 'particularly with the common public misperception that hands-free means risk-free'.
