The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
February 2008
About 500 words
Modern technology amplifies driver distraction
The arrival of Global Positioning Systems, multi-stack Compact Disc players, and DVD/TV sets has made driving a more distracting – and challenging – experience than ever before.
“Under normal circumstances driving requires skill, split-second judgments and quick reactions to potentially dangerous situations,” says Clif Eden, Manager of Road Safety with Manitoba Public Insurance. “When you throw something like text messaging into the mix, the potential is there for serious mishap.”
And it’s not only technology that can be a source of distraction. Anything that takes the drivers’ eyes and thought processes away from driving is considered a driver distraction, Eden says.
“Having an animated conversation with a passenger, or passengers, is considered driver distraction,” he says. “Focusing on children in the backseat is a driver distraction. But the driver’s task is very simple: to focus on the road and drive.”
That’s easier said than done in technology-rich vehicles of the 21st century. The dashboards of many new vehicles are increasingly complex, as are many of the new features in vehicles.
One of the biggest driver distractions these days is cellular phones. A driver is four times more likely to crash when you combine cell phones with driving, says Eden, who suggests that if the phone rings, let the call go to voice mail, or have a passenger deal with it. If the driver absolutely needs to talk, they should pull over first, or use a hands-free feature.
Driver distraction in its various forms contributes to an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions. A recent U.S. study determined it was a factor in about nine per cent of serious or fatal crashes, based on police-reported crashes involving more than 32,000 vehicles from 1995 to 1999.
Close to 30 per cent of the distraction-related crashes were attributed to something outside the vehicle, such as people, objects or events. Causes of other distraction-related crashes broke down like this:
- 11.4 per cent of crashes were caused by adjusting a radio, CD player or other device.
- 10.9 per cent were related to other vehicle occupants, such as dealing with children or carrying on conversations with passengers.
- 1.7 per cent were due to eating or drinking. 1.5 per cent were attributed to using a mobile phone.
Eden fears safety problems related to driver distraction could increase as new electronic devices make their way into personal vehicles. “We're concerned about such things as complex in-vehicle systems and wireless Internet,” he says.
Electronic devices can enhance safety, such as by using a mobile phone when stuck in traffic to say you'll be late, which can reduce stress and make you less inclined to drive aggressively. But drivers must use technology responsibly.
Eden offers a few simple tips for distraction-free driving: save stereo adjustments for red lights; resist the urge to “rubberneck” when passing any roadside distractions; and give yourself extra time in the morning or at lunch so you don’t need to eat or perform any personal grooming at the wheel.
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© 2008 Manitoba Public Insurance
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