Distracted driving: how can we prove it's a problem?
This paper examines some of the issues related to the task of proving that distracted driving is a problem - it focuses on how research can show that distracted driving increases the risk of collision and how it can show that this increased risk is sufficient to warrant making it a traffic safety priority. In this respect, the paper provides a bridge to others presented at the conference but most directly to those in the session on "How risky is distracted driving", that review what the research tells us about the risks imposed by distracted driving. Each of those papers is based on different research approaches that provide a different perspective on the problem. This paper provides an overview of those research approaches, focussing in particular on their strengths and limitations. In doing so, the purpose is not to be nihilistic, suggesting that given the limitations of the various research approaches, very little is known about the problem of distracted driving. Rather, it is designed to provide a context that helps us understand why it is so hard to answer such seemingly simple and fundamental questions as, "How many crashes result from distracted driving?"; or "How risky is it?".
- Record URL:
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Authors:
- Simpson, H M
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 2005
Language
- English
Media Info
- Pagination: 12p
- Monograph Title: Linking data from different sources to estimate the risk of a collision when using a cell phone while driving
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Attention; Behavior; Drivers; Highway safety; Methodology; Research; Risk analysis
- ATRI Terms: Attention; Driver behaviour; Methodology; Research needs; Risk analysis; Road safety
- Subject Areas: Research;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01387680
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: ARRB
- Files: ATRI
- Created Date: Aug 23 2012 12:19AM