The impact of driver distraction on road safety: results from a representative survey in two Australian states (original) (raw)
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Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2007
The study's objectives were to determine the prevalence and types of distracting activities involved in serious crashes, and to explore the factors associated with such crashes. We interviewed 1367 drivers who attended hospital in Perth, Western Australia between April 2002 and July 2004 following a crash. A structured questionnaire was administered to each driver and supplementary data were collected from ambulance and medical records. Over 30% of drivers (433, 31.7%) cited at least one distracting activity at the time of crashing and driver distraction was reported to have contributed to 13.6% of all crashes. The major distracting activities were conversing with passengers (155, 11.3%), lack of concentration (148, 10.8%) and outside factors (121, 8.9%). Using logistic regression, a distracting activity at the time of a crash was significantly more likely among drivers with shorter driving experience (0-9 years, 38.3% versus ≥30 years, 21.0%, p < 0.001). Distracting activities at the time of serious crashes are common and can cause crashes, and the types of activities reported are varied. Increased driver awareness of the adverse consequences of distracted driving with a focus on novice drivers, enforcement of existing laws (e.g. those requiring a driver to maintain proper control of a vehicle), and progress on engineering initiatives (such as collision warning systems) are needed to reduce injury.
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This report provides a comprehensive review of the current research on driver distractions deriving from within the vehicle. The impact of technology (e.g., mobile phones and route guidance systems) and non technology-based distractions (e.g., eating, smoking and conversing with passengers) on driving performance i s examined and the relative influence of these distractions on driving is discussed. Approximately one quarter of vehicle crashes in the United States are estimated to result from the driver being inattentive or distracted. Whilst the full extent to which distraction is a causal factor in vehicle crashes in Australia is not yet known, there is converging evidence that it likely to be a significant problem here. As more wireless communication, entertainment and driver assistance systems proliferate the vehic le market, the prevalence of distraction-related crashes here and overseas is expected to escalate. The various methods that have been employed to measure driver distraction are examined and those measurement techniques that appear most promising in being able to accurately measure invehicle distraction are identified. In the final section of the report, recommendations for research and for the management of driver distraction are provided as a first step in stimulating development of a national agenda for dealing with this issue.
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This study was funded by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in Washington, DC. Founded in 1947, the AAA Foundation is a not-for-profit, publicly supported charitable research and education organization dedicated to saving lives by preventing traffic crashes and reducing injuries when crashes occur. Funding for this study was provided by voluntary contributions from the American Automobile Association and its affiliated motor clubs, from individual AAA members, and from AAA-affiliated insurance companies. This publication is distributed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety at no charge, as a public service. It may not be resold or used for commercial purposes without the explicit permission of the Foundation. It may, however, be copied in whole or in part and distributed for free via any medium, provided the AAA Foundation is given appropriate credit as the source of the material. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety or of any individual who peer-reviewed this report. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety assumes no liability for the use or misuse of any information, opinions, findings, or conclusions contained in this report. If trade or manufacturers' names or products are mentioned, it is only because they are considered essential to the object of this report and their mention should not be construed as an endorsement. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety does not endorse products or manufacturers.
The effects of age on crash risk associated with driver distraction
International journal of epidemiology, 2016
Driver distraction is a major contributing factor to crashes, which are the leading cause of death for the US population under 35 years of age. The prevalence of secondary-task engagement and its impacts on distraction and crashes may vary substantially by driver age. Driving performance and behaviour data were collected continuously using multiple cameras and sensors in situ for 3542 participant drivers recruited for up to 3 years for the Second Strategic Highway Research Program Naturalistic Driving Study. Secondary-task engagement at the onset of crashes and during normal driving segments was identified from videos. A case-cohort approach was used to estimate the crash odds ratios associated with, and the prevalence of, secondary tasks for four age groups: 16-20, 21-29, 30-64 and 65-98 years of age. Only severe crashes (property damage and higher severity) were included in the analysis. Secondary-task-induced distraction posed a consistently higher threat for drivers younger than...
Driver Distraction: Mechanisms, Evidence, Prevention, and Mitigation
Springer eBooks, 2022
In this chapter, the reader is introduced to the topic of driver distraction: its definition and mechanisms; its impact on driving performance and safety; approaches to preventing it; evidence-based injury prevention and mitigation countermeasures; and new frames of reference for conceptualizing distraction as traditional driving functions and tasks become increasingly automated. Some strategies that might be considered by societal stakeholders in setting a coordinated agenda for the management of distracted driving going into the future are also presented. Until all vehicles can safely drive themselves, in all conditions, all of the time, it is unlikely that, for driver distraction, Vision Zero will be achieved. In the meantime, however, there is much that can be done to slow its spread and mitigate it effects.
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Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2006
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Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2005
Unobtrusive video camera units were installed in the vehicles of 70 volunteer drivers over 1-week time periods to study drivers' exposure to distractions. The video data were coded based on a detailed taxonomy of driver distractions along with important contextual variables and driving performance measures. Results show distractions to be a common component of everyday driving. In terms of overall event durations, the most common distractions were eating and drinking (including preparations to eat or drink), distractions inside the vehicle (reaching or looking for an object, manipulating vehicle controls, etc.), and distractions outside the vehicle (often unidentified). Distractions were frequently associated with decreased driving performance, as measured by higher levels of no hands on the steering wheel, eyes directed inside rather than outside the vehicle, and lane wanderings or encroachments. Naturalistic driving studies can provide a useful supplement to more controlled laboratory and field studies to further our understanding of the effects of all types of distractions on driving safety.
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Distracting activities while driving are common and can result in errors that threaten road users’ safety. The main objectives of this study were to investigate drivers’ perspectives of the factors contributing to distraction, determine the relative rank of types of distractions, recognize the road factors and environmental effects that make distractions more dangerous, and identify the most effective measures to reduce driver distractions. A survey was conducted to assess Jordanian drivers’ experiences with distracted driving, and what solutions they believed could be implemented to solve the problems. The study’s outcomes revealed that drivers perceive visual distractions as the most dangerous, followed by cognitive, manual, and auditory distractions, respectively. It was also found that “mobile phone texting or dialing” was ranked the top most dangerous visual and manual distracting factor. “Baby is crying or kids are fighting in the back seat” was perceived by all demographic gr...
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