In what could be interpreted as curious timing given that this is Teen Safe Driving Week, Ford today announced enhancements to their Sync telematics system designed to make it easier for drivers to listen to text messages behind the wheel.

Ford says the free software upgrade will broaden the number of devices compatible with the hands-free text read-back feature of Sync. The automaker stops short of saying this will make roads any safer, but a press release claims it “...gives users the ability to simply and smartly manage incoming text messages from their vehicle while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

Ford appears to be taking the position that letting their customers listen to text messages will be less dangerous than if they read them. That may or may not be true. While Ford’s approach will presumably help drivers focus more on the road and less on their devices, keeping their hands on the wheel, the jury is still out on how much cognitive load comes with being constantly connected, even by voice. And experts point out that some conversations are more distracting than others, regardless of whether spoken or keyed. Heated emotional exchanges, for example, can impose a greater cognitive load than, say chatting about the weather.

“In many situations, driving takes most of our attention; we’re not capable of doing much more,” says Bryan Reimer, associate director of the New England University Transportation Center. Reimer adds, “Just because you can provide the content doesn’t mean you should.”

Ford’s decision to broaden voice access to texting may well only make distraction more of a problem as drivers find it easier to continue conversations behind the wheel.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has described distracted driving as an epidemic. Lots of disturbing facts about distraction and teen drivers are being discussed in D.C. this week at the NOYS (National Organization for Youth Safety) Distracted Driving Summit, as well they should be. Car crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths, and 16 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes under the age of 20 were known to have been distracted.

Voice texting may have prevented some of those deaths. But odds are, simply shutting off the phone behind the wheel may have been a better choice.

Related:
Fighting distracted driving: Technology can be part of the solution
Making NOYS: Teen safety summit tackles the dangers of texting and driving head on
Special section on teens and distracted driving
Ford plans a socially networked vehicle using open-source tech
The connected car: New services pit convenience against safety
Ford working to make Sync, MyFord Touch a better listener