While many experts contend that there's no substitute, handsfree or otherwise, for complete attention on the road, Americans' interest in in-car Bluetooth systems appears to be growing.

A new poll conducted by Harris Interactive shows that 35 percent of drivers say they would be likely to adopt voice-activated controls or features in their vehicle. That's up from just 27 percent in 2009. Additionally, a handful of drivers showed interest in text-to-speech and speech-to-text technology, with 14 percent indicating they would be likely to adopt it.

Similar to voice-activated technologies, drivers are divided as to the main purpose the technology would serve; approximately three in 10 say see it as a comfort/convenience. Thirty percent see the technology as a safer way to use their electronics while behind the wheel, and 25 percent see it as entertainment.

"Marketers need to be aware of these diverse perceptions as they develop these technologies and bring them to market," said David Duganne, senior research director of Harris Interactive Automotive and Transportation Research, in a statement.

Marketing and consumer perceptions aside, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently said that handsfree devices are no safer than talking on a handheld device.

"I know that my friends in the car manufacturing industry don't necessarily like it when I say this, but I do think that the voice-activated devices in the car are distractions. They are a cognitive distraction. I am going to have a meeting with all of the CEOs of the car companies and we are going to talk about this," LaHood said at the Intelligent Transportation Society's annual convention. The comments were taken from a video posted on the Intelligent Transportation Society's website.

LaHood said that he has been on a self-proclaimed "rampage" against distracted driving recently. "I'm not going to give up on the idea that if we take distractions away from people in their cars, it will be safer," he said.