This month we focus our attention on a crucial issue: road safety and how distractions affect our ability to drive safely. Distracted driving is not a minor problem; it is a risk factor that generates traffic incidents and, increasingly, causes serious injuries and loss of life.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving happens when the driver’s attention is diverted from the road. This can be anything from routine actions like drinking coffee, changing the radio station, looking at billboard advertisements or glancing in the rearview mirror, to riskier activities like texting. Any behavior that decreases the mental attention necessary for safe driving is considered a distraction.
WHO/PAHO and NHTSA define driver distraction as “the detour of a driver’s attention from activities critical for safe driving to other activities” (WHO, 2010).
The complexity of driving
Driving is a task that requires the coordination of multiple mental and physical skills. Distractions cause delays in recognizing information crucial for safe driving, increasing the risk of traffic events.
Types of distraction
There are four types of distraction:
1. Visual Distraction
Occurs when the driver looks at something unrelated to driving.
2. Cognitive Distraction
Occurs when the driver’s mind is occupied with thoughts unrelated to the road situation.
3. Physical Distraction
Occurs when the driver uses his hands for something other than controlling the vehicle.
4. Hearing Distraction
Occurs when listening to loud sounds such as loud music, telephone calls, ambulance sirens, and other sounds.
Distraction Sources
It depends on the environment inside and outside the vehicle, one or more of these categories may be present at any time while driving and therefore have adverse effects, such as a crash or hit-and-run.
Internal Distractions
Internal distractions are those that occur inside the vehicle and may include talking, eating, smoking, using the radio or entertainment devices, children in the vehicle and their behavior, moving objects inside the car, and, of course, using the cell phone for calls, even hands-free, texting, etc. in addition to the different types of electronic devices integrated or not into vehicles such as GPS navigation systems, cameras and video cameras, etc.
External Distractions
External distractions can arise when the driver observes elements of the context or landscape, people or situations outside the vehicle, such as billboards or signage.
The factors that influence the level of distraction during driving
Driving is a complex task, which requires coordination between multiple mental and physical faculties and distractions generate a delay in the recognition of the information necessary to do it safely (Abdulkader, et al.,2019). Therefore, it is essential to understand distracted driving practices in order to regulate them and reduce the risk of accidents.
The danger of distraction affecting driver performance depends on a variety of factors, including:
Factors that influence driving distractions can be complex or simple. They can be short or longer in duration, and they can occur frequently or be occasional. All have the potential to exacerbate the consequences of distraction. Distractions can occur on straight and smooth roads, having less chance of causing an accident, but also in complex urban situations, for example, during interaction with other motor vehicles or non-motorized vehicles (bicycles or skateboards). The density and flow of pedestrians on the road also has an influence.
Drivers more susceptible to distracted driving crashes
It is known that other factors such as gender, experience (in driving time), the use of hands-free telephony, among others, can influence the possibility of suffering an accident due to distraction.
The cognitive-behavioral development that takes place during adolescence makes young drivers more susceptible to distraction, which can have a greater impact on driving than it does for mature drivers.
Moreover, older drivers have impaired visual and cognitive abilities, which also make it difficult for them to perform two tasks simultaneously, as manifested by longer reaction times while driving.
Preventing distracted driving is critical to road safety. It is the responsibility of each driver to stay focused on the road and avoid distractions, thus ensuring not only their safety but also the safety of others on the road.
We invite you to share this information. Road safety is all of us.
