Distracted Driving Research

Distracted driving caused by the use of mobile phones in vehicles is a worldwide problem. More than 50 countries have restrictions on mobile phone use while driving and new legislation is being introduced almost daily.

WHY IS DISTRACTED DRIVING AT THE FOREFRONT OF TODAY'S NEWS?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Driver inattention is the cause of almost 80% of traffic crashes.
• The most common distraction – mobile phone use.
• The reaction time of drivers talking on mobile phones has been found to be slower than drunk drivers with a BAC of 0.08.
• Webster’s Dictionary named “distracted driving” the 2009 Word of Year.
• More than 200 state bills were introduced in the U.S. in 2009 – new laws were front-page news. The U.S. Department of Transportation held a Distracted Driving Summit that was called the most important meeting in the DOTs history.

IS HANDS-FREE USE LESS DANGEROUS?
The National Safety Council reviewed more than 30 studies and research reports from scientists around the world. All studies showed that hands-free phones were not safer than handheld phones. To learn more, please go to distracteddriving.nsc.org

“Driving while talking on cell phones – handheld or hands-free – increases risk of injury and property damage crashes fourfold. Research evidence is compelling when studies of varying research designs are conducted in different cultures and driving environments and have similar results.” —NSC

Handheld or hands-free, listening and responding to a conversation causes:

• Inattention Blindness. Drivers using mobile phones fail to see up to 50% of the roadway environment while driving.
• Slower Response and Reaction Time.
• Problems Staying within a Lane.

WHY DO DRIVERS CONTINUE TO USE THEIR MOBILE PHONES WHILE DRIVING?

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a survey and found that 83% of respondents thought drivers using mobile phones is a serious/very serious problem – more than excessive speeding, running red lights, or aggressive driving. Only drunk driving was considered a more serious issue. But even though most drivers believe mobile phone use is a serious problem, most do not change their behavior.

• Drivers believe they are more skilled and their crash risk is lower than others
• Pressure to stay connected and be productive
• Drivers mistakenly believe hands-free use is safe
• Distracted drivers may not be aware of the negative impact on their driving performance

• National Safety Council
• Official US Government website for Distracted Driving
• National Highway Traffic Safety Association
• Governors Highway Safety Association (State Laws)
• Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving
• Oprah’s No Phone Zone
• Advocates for Cell Phone Free Driving
• Network of Employers for Traffic Safety