Comparison of Teen Cell Phone and Passenger Conversation

Many states in the U.S. have begun to implement graduated licensing systems to reduce beginner driver crashes. Graduated licensing limits exposure to high risk conditions such as night-time driving and having multiple teen passengers, for the first six months to two years after their 16th birthday. Previous literature on driver distraction has shown that driver’s cell phone use produces higher risk than in-vehicle conversations. This study assessed the joint effects of these two factors: cell phone use and inexperience. It also compared distraction due in-vehicle passengers. The study used a fixed base driving simulator with a 165º field of view to measure newly-licensed 16 year olds’ driving performance while talking on cell phones and also while talking to passengers within their vehicle. Continuous data on lane position as steering and pedal inputs were collected in baseline and emergency scenarios. Emergency response scenarios included sudden braking by the lead vehicle, a pedestrian stepping of the curb, and a car pulling out of a blind driveway. Situational awareness scenarios include amber traffic signals, a rear-approaching emergency vehicle, and construction work zones lane closures. University students, close in age to the participants, served as conversation partners both on the phone and in the vehicle. The paper describes the scenario development process and the challenges of data reduction and scoring. Data from nine pilot subjects are presented and illustrate some of the unique challenges of working with teen drivers who have highly idiosyncratic driving habits.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Advanced Driving Simulator

  University of Iowa, 2401 Oakdale Boulevard
  Iowa City, IA  United States  52242-5003
• Authors:
  • Chrysler, Susan T
  • Williams, Alicia A
• Conference:
  • Driving Simulation Conference, North America 2005 (DSC-NA 2005)
  • Location: Orlando FL, United States
  • Date: 2005-11-30 to 2005-12-2
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: Driving Simulation Conference, North America 2005

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cellular telephones; Crash data; Distraction; Driving simulators; Graduated licensing; High risk drivers; Teenage drivers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01140763
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 29 2009 8:56AM