Surprising Research Finds that Mental Distractions Can Persist 27 Seconds after Completing a Task.

27 seconds: that’s how long potentially unsafe mental distractions can persist after a driver dials, changes music or sends a text using voice commands on a voice-activated system, according to surprising new research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The results raise new and unexpected concerns regarding the use of phones and vehicle information systems while driving.

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Say you’re using your hands-free car infotainment system or smart phone to dial a call or change music when you’re stopped at a red light. The light turns green and you start driving again. The mental distractions can linger as long as 27 seconds, enough time for you to travel the length of three football fields when moving at just 25 mph. During this time, drivers can miss stop signs, pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles while the mind is refocusing on driving.

This latest research from AAA looked at hands-free technologies in ten 2015 vehicles and three types of smart phones. The Chevy Equinox had the best performing system, while the Mazda 6 had the worst. Among phones, Google Now performed best, while Apple Siri and Microsoft Cortana had higher levels of distraction.

AAA encourages automakers to design systems that are easier to use, and urges drivers to focus on the road ahead. Just because you can post to Facebook while driving doesn’t mean you should.

Story by AAA Oregon/Idaho for full story, go to AAA.com.