A new poll of Jersey drivers from Triple-A finds almost 6-in-10 believe voice-activated technology in a vehicle is less distracting than a hand-held phone. But there's also research to the contrary.

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Tracy Noble, manager of public and government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic says their poll of 655 Jersey drivers found 94 percent feel other drivers are very or somewhat distracted.

"We live in a 'do as i say, not as i do' reality," Noble said.

But research from the AAA Foundation found even when drivers use in-vehicle technology, they can be distracted for up to 30 seconds.

"Everybody believes that they can do it, and they are not distracted while driving. This should speak volumes to what people's perception is, because everybody believes that they can do it, and they are not distracted while driving. But everybody else is, which is clearly not the case," Noble said, adding that anytime you are taking your attention away from the roadway, you are distracted.

Noible said it was also interesting that 68 percent of those surveyed believe that distractions only last for 10 seconds.

"But the AAA survey found that it could last up to 27 seconds, and if you could imagine driving blindfolded for 27 seconds, that an extremely long period of time to not have your full attention on the road," she said.

Some other findings from the AAA poll:

  • 69 percent of drivers do not use a hand-held phone while driving. That is the good news, Noble said.
  • 28 percent have used a hand-held phone while driving in the past six months, despite a state law that bans such use.
  • 50 percent have used hands-free technology to make a call while driving in the past six months.

Noble says new in-vehicle technology may seem less more convenient, but it can still be distracting.

"If your mind is not on the road it is an equal danger, because you may miss a pedestrian coming into a crosswalk, you may miss a vehicle changing lanes."

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5

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