Between 2006 and 2010 distraction from mobile phones was a contributory factor in 1,690 road accidents which resulted in injuries; this figure includes 110 fatal accidents. Accidents caused by distraction from mobile phones which did not cause injury are not included in police statistics; this figure is likely to be far greater. It is often difficult for the police to ascertain if a driver has been checking or using a phone before a collision. Peter Rodger, Chief Examiner at the IAM explains: "Police usually only report road collisions where someone has been injured. Mobile phone users often slow down to compensate for their unsafe driving behaviour which may mean their actions cause less severe crashes and incidents, leading to a lower level of reporting. The likely under reporting of accidents involving mobile phones means that police accident data is not ideal for in-depth analysis; this makes it difficult to determine the risk posed by mobile phones using accident statistics. In the absence of reliable accident data driving simulators and academic research play a vital role in evaluating risk. Researchers can use a driving simulator to measure reaction times to events and stimuli and analyse the impact of mobile phones on driver behaviour. Twenty eight young male and female participants took part in the study; all had previous experience of using Facebook via a smartphone. The participants completed one drive to familiarise themselves with the simulator, a control drive and a drive while using Facebook. The order of the control drive and the drive using the smartphone was alternated between participants so that familiarisation with the route would not affect the results. Participants were asked to send and check messages on Facebook and update their statuses. Researchers monitored their lane position, speed and reaction times. They also monitored the amount of time spent looking at the road, as well as the ability to perform the smartphone task. The results of the experiment clearly show that participants' driving performance was impaired by the smartphone task. There was a significant impact on: Time spent looking at the road Reaction times to stimuli Lane position Speed When using Facebook participants spent between 40 per cent and 60 per cent of their time looking down while using a smartphone to write or read messages, compared with about 10 per cent of the time looking down normally. Reaction times to visual and auditory stimuli were found to increase by approximately 37.6 per cent when using a smartphone to send and receive messages on Facebook, and participants often missed events completely. Participants using Facebook were unable to maintain a central lane position and this resulted in an increased number of unintentional lane departures, they were also unable to respond as quickly to a lead vehicle gradually changing speed. There was a tendency to reduce speed to use the smartphone, however, this did not prevent driving performance from deteriorating. These results suggest that participants' driving was significantly impaired when they were using a smartphone while driving. The researchers concluded that three types of distraction affected driver behaviour; having to concentrate on the smartphone task (cognitive), holding the phone (physical), and the significant increase in time spent looking at the phone (visual) in order to interact with it. The IAM believes that all drivers should be aware of the risks they are taking when using any mobile while driving. Even drivers who refrain from making calls may be tempted to use a smartphone to check a message, map, update their status, or look for traffic updates. More needs to be done to educate drivers, and encourage safe behaviour. [Over the last few years mobile phones have become significantly more developed, allowing people to access social networking sites, browse the Internet, use maps and play music. Complex applications can now be used on the move anywhere in the world. As technology advances further we need to understand its impact on driver behaviour. Mobile phones create a significant risk to road safety; half of motorists know at least a few people who use a mobile phone without a handsfree kit. Previous studies show that using a phone significantly increases drivers’ reactions times and creates risks. Some studies have examined the difference between texting and calling, and the use of handheld or hands-free phones behind the wheel. However, no research has been carried out on the use of web applications which are now available on smartphones. The IAM commissioned TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) to analyse whether using a smartphone to access social networking sites affects driving. The full results can be found in ‘Smartphone use while driving a simulator study’, published separately on our website. This summary paper discusses our response to the results and some of the wider issues around mobile phone use.] (Author/publisher)
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