With the announcement of Apple and their iOS 7 in the car, the company is confident that voice commands in automobiles prevent as much number of accidents. A recent study claims otherwise.

Drivers using voice commands to send their emails and text messages while behind the wheel may find themselves more at risk than sending the messages by hand. Contrary to what has been marketed, it can be more distracting for drivers to talk to their voice prompts than simply taking out their phones to carry out the task.

According to a study by the Canadian Automobile Association has found, the convenience is true but the claimed "safety" of these applications is as justified. The research was collaboration between the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the CAA partner. The University of Utah was also part of the research team.

The intensive research suggests that cognitive distraction exists and this puts drivers in more danger. Simply put, activities like using text-to-audio software, listening to the radio and other similar actions can distract the brain from driving. People lose their focus on the road despite being physically involved. Cognitive processes are just as important and without proper focus, drivers can get into accidents easily.

Researchers worked with driving simulators and medical technology to check what happens inside a person's brain when they are driving. Specifically, neural activity was monitored when performing tasks like listening to an audio book or talking to software. Results revealed that human reaction slows down and their brain function gets compromised when doing such activities.

Drivers are more likely to miss important cues like other cars, pedestrians or traffic signals when they engage in activities or tools that are mentally distracting. Speech-to-text systems are just as dangerous. Even talking to a passenger can also lead to accidents.

"People aren't seeing what they need to see to drive. That's the scariest part to me," Peter Kissinger explained. Kissinger is the president and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

"Police accident investigative reports are filled with comments like the 'looked, but did not see.' That's what drivers tell them. We used to think they were lying, but now we know that's actually true."

"We believe there is a public safety crisis looming," AAA spokeswoman Yolanda Cade said.

"We hope this study will change some widely held misconceptions by motorists." She added.