Driver distractionis an important factor driving up the risk of road collisions worldwide. Researchers claim that some source of driver distraction is reported in up to 30% of road accidents. The use of mobile phones, the increased penetration of navigation systems and other driver assistance systems, as well as activities such as light or heavy discussion with other passengers, smoking, eating or drinking, constitute typical in-vehicle sources of driver distraction. Simultaneously, the driver has to cope with several external visual and mental stimuli like the landscape, the traffic (vehicles and pedestrians), traffic control, road signs, incidents, destination seeking, advertising signs and labels, etc. All these distractions have a direct impact on vehicle’s speed, headways and lateral position, but most importantly on driver’s reaction time, with the fateful potential of increasing the probability of collisions. This European Transport Safety Lecture brings together a large spectrum of knowledge on the effects of the various distraction factors on driver behaviour and accident risk, including results from research in Greece. The Lecture also aims to identify some of the most appropriate remedial measures. (Author/publisher)
Abstract