Distracted Driving is Even Worse Than You Think, New Research Shows

Drivers are becoming more aware of the dangers of texting while driving, but new research is showing that the distraction lasts even longer than once thought.

Potentially unsafe mental distractions can persist for as long as 27 seconds after dialing, changing music or sending a text using voice commands, according to research just released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The results are raising unexpected concerns surrounding the use of phones and vehicle information systems while driving.

It’s the third phase of the Foundation’s investigation on the subject, and shows that the new hands-free technology can mentally distract drivers even if their eyes are on the road.

“The lasting effects of mental distraction pose a hidden and pervasive danger that would likely come as a surprise to most drivers,” said Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, in a statement. “The results indicate that motorists could miss stop signs, pedestrians and other vehicles while the mind is readjusting to the task of driving.”

The best performing system was the Chevy Equinox, and the worst was the Mazda 6. Among phone systems, Google Now performed the best and Apple Siri and Microsoft Cortana were the worst.