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Voice activated systems can still be dangerous, AAA study finds

WEST HARTFORD — If you are using the latest voice activated systems to communicate when you are driving, you may still be in danger of driving while being...

WEST HARTFORD -- If you are using the latest voice activated systems to communicate when you are driving, you may still be in danger of driving while being too distracted.

According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the latest results are eye-opening when it comes to distracted drivers.  Researchers finding that distractions while using voice activated systems or smartphones in cars can linger close to 30 seconds after completing a task.

"This should be a wake up call to anyone who feels safe while texting at a red light", says AAA spokesperson Amy Parmenter, "Just because you hit the gas when the light turns green, doesn't mean you're good to go."

More than 250 drivers ranging in age from 21-to-70 participated in the study of ten 2015-model cars with voice activated systems. The study included drivers making phone calls, changing music and texting.

On a  one to five scale, with one being least distracted, Chevy Equinox performed the best, scoring a 2.4 while the Mazda6 had the worst performing system at 4.6.  The analysis found that all systems studied increased mental distraction to potentially unsafe levels.  The systems that performed best had fewer errors, required less time on task and were relatively easy to use.

Researchers also studied voice activated smartphones and found that Google Now outperformed Apple Siri and Microsoft Cortana but all three were dangerously distracting, with ratings from ranging from 3.1 to 3.8.

"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 says.  "Hands free doesn't not mean risk free.  It's that simple."

AAA has shared this info with policy makers, safety advocates and manufactures in hopes of improving the safety of future technology.

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