Factors Associated with Driver Distraction: Influence of Risk Taking, Risk Perception, and Crash History

Distracted driving poses a significant risk of crash involvement as drivers divert their attention from the road. While previous studies have explored various factors influencing distraction, the relationship between risk perception, risk-taking behavior, crash history, and distraction remains understudied. This research surveyed 518 drivers in Tehran, investigating the types of distractors they encountered while driving and measuring their risk perceptions, risk-taking tendencies, and crash history. The study identified two driver clusters: frequently distracted and infrequently distracted. Both groups commonly engaged in distractions like conversing with passengers, changing music tracks, and using satellite navigation. Interestingly, frequently distracted drivers were more inclined to text despite perceiving high risk associated with this behavior. Binary logistic regression revealed that frequently distracted drivers tended to have higher income, longer weekly driving hours, higher risk-taking propensity, a history of more crashes, and fewer years of licensing, alongside diminished perceptions of distraction-related risks. The research underscores the significance of risk perceptions and risk-taking behaviors in distraction occurrences, even after accounting for factors like age, driving frequency, and crash history. To mitigate distracted driving, specific measures could be considered, such as restricting passengers during early driving years, providing alternative transportation options for employees, and enforcing rules to minimize work-related distractions. This study is particularly relevant as it delves into distraction patterns and risk factors in a Middle Eastern context, which has been less explored in the existing literature.

• Record URL:
  • https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/OnlineProgram/Details/21261
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ACH30 Standing Committee on Human Factors of Vehicles.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Mehditabrizi, Asal
  • Aghabayk, Kayvan
  • Samerei, Seyed Alireza
  • Saleh Namadi, Saeed
  • Stephens, Amanda
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 103rd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC
  • Date: 2024-1-7 to 2024-1-11
• Date: 2024

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Distracted driving; Distraction; Perception; Risk; Risk taking
• Geographic Terms: Tehran (Iran)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01908335
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRBAM-24-05955
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 15 2024 5:05PM