New in-vehicle technology takes drivers' eyes and attention offthe road and hands off the wheel for potentially dangerous periodsof time, according to new research from the AAA Foundation forTraffic Safety. 

Drivers using in-vehicle technologies like voice-based and touchscreen features were visually and mentally distracted for more than40 seconds when completing tasks like programming navigation orsending a text message. Removing eyes from the road for just twoseconds doubles the risk of a crash, according to previousresearch.

"Some in-vehicle technology can create unsafe situations fordrivers on the road by increasing the time they spend with theireyes and attention off the road and hands off the wheel," said Dr.David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for TrafficSafety. "When an in-vehicle technology is not properly designed,simple tasks for drivers can become complicated and require moreeffort from drivers to complete."

Related: Who's liable when autonomous cars are involved inaccidents?

Key takeaways

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety commissioned researchersfrom the University of Utah to examine the visual (eyes off road)and cognitive (mental) demand as well as the time it took driversto complete a task using the infotainment systems in 30 new 2017vehicles. Study participants were required to use voice command,touch screen and other interactive technologies to make a call,send a text message, tune the radio or program navigation, allwhile driving down the road.

Related: Traffic deaths continue to rise in U.S., but don'tblame texting

Programming navigation was the most distracting task, taking anaverage of 40 seconds for drivers to complete. When driving at 25mph, a driver can travel the length of four football fields duringthe time it could take to enter a destination in navigation — allwhile distracted from the important task of driving.

Programming navigation while driving was available in 12 of the30 vehicle systems tested. None of the 30 vehicleinfotainment systems produced low demand, while 23 systemsgenerated high or very high levels of demand on drivers.

According to a new AAA public opinion survey, nearly 70% of U.S.adults say that they want the new technology in their vehicle, butonly 24% feel that the technology already works perfectly.

Related: Legislation could aid highly automated vehicledevelopment

In-vehicle technology can be safer

Researchers found that most infotainment systems tested couldeasily be made safer by simply following clearly stated federalrecommendations such as locking out text messaging, social mediaand programming navigation while the car is in motion. In 2012, theNational HighwayTraffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a set ofvoluntary safety guidelines advising automakers to block access totasks when vehicles are not parked.

"These are solvable problems. By following NHTSA's voluntaryguidelines to lock out certain features that generate high demandwhile driving, automakers can significantly reduce distraction,"said Jake Nelson, AAA's director of Traffic Safety Advocacy &Research. "AAA cautions drivers that just because a technology isavailable while driving does not mean it is safe or easy to usewhen behind the wheel. Drivers should only use these technologiesfor legitimate emergencies or urgent, driving relatedpurposes."

Related: Americans evenly divided over future ofself-driving vehicles, AIG study reports

Continue to check out the handy AAA Foundation infographic:

 (Source: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety)