EL PASO, Texas -- A study from AAA indicates that talking on headsets while in the car does not significantly increase safety levels compared to holding a cell phone to talk.

Many drivers have been taught that it is significantly safer to use a hands-free headset in order to talk on the phone while driving, but that may not be true.

Lee Zimmerman co-owns a local plumbing company and drives around to many different work sites.

"I'm basically the field supervisor, and I drive all over the city everyday," Zimmerman said.

While Zimmerman drives, he often makes calls to his employees and clients, but in order to do that safely he uses a hands-free headset.

"It is kind of nice to be able to drive and have both of your hands available to do whatever you need to do, and you can kind of stay more focused that way, at least it seems that way," Zimmerman said.

It may seem that way, but a recent study from AAA disagrees. The study indicates that 11 percent of drivers are talking on their phone at any given time, but whether they are holding their phone or using a hands-free device, the study found there was no difference in safety levels.

Learning of the study’s results has drivers who use them surprised.

"It's surprising, I think it’s harder to use a cell without a [headset],” Linda Kolstad said.

However researchers say the danger does not come from keeping your hands on the wheel, it comes from being distracted by the calls and conversations.

Kolstad believes that paying attention while talking is a personal responsibility.

"You still have to choose to focus and concentrate first on your driving and [talking] is second," Kolstad said.

For heavy drivers like Zimmerman, he'll continue to use his headset to keep his hands free.

"It's one less distraction for you while you are driving, it works," Zimmerman said.

However the study indicates the distraction is the talking, and doing so quadruples a driver’s chances of getting into a car accident.