TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-reported distraction-related collisions
T2 - Mundane distractions are reported more often than technology-related secondary tasks
AU - Prat, F.
AU - Gras, M. E.
AU - Planes, M.
AU - Font-Mayolas, S.
AU - Sullman, M. J.M.
PY - 2018/11/1
Y1 - 2018/11/1
N2 - The present study investigated self-reported distraction-related collisions and near-misses, both as a driver and a passenger. Data were gathered from 426 semi-structured interviews and the results were weighted according to the distribution of driver licences among city residents, by gender and age group (18–24, 25–44, 45–64, and 65+). Seven percent of drivers reported having had an accident while distracted, with the most commonly reported distraction being the drivers' own thoughts (2.5%), followed by looking at something outside the vehicle (2%) and talking to a passenger (1.1%). Furthermore, 35.7% reported having had a near-miss while distracted, with manipulating the audio entertainment system (8.6%) and talking to passengers (8.2%) being the most common distraction types. The percentage of drivers who reported having had an accident while talking on a hand-held phone, and for reading or sending text messages, were both 0.2%. The proportion of drivers who reported having had a near-miss while talking on a handheld mobile phone, hands-free phone or text messaging (reading or sending), were 2.4%, 0.7% and 4.6%, respectively. However, when drivers were asked whether they knew anybody who had crashed while engaged in each distraction type measured, hand-held phone use was the most commonly identified task. Additionally, we explored potential differences in risk perception, descriptive norms and engagement in distractions between those who experienced an accident or a near-miss and those who did not, for each distraction type. Those who reported engaging in each distraction type were also more likely to report having experienced a crash or near-miss related to that distraction type. Although researchers and public policies place a lot of emphasis on technological distractions, in particular phone-related distractions, these are not the distraction types that are most commonly reported by drivers in relation to accidents, which could suggest that a much broader perspective on driver distraction would be beneficial.
AB - The present study investigated self-reported distraction-related collisions and near-misses, both as a driver and a passenger. Data were gathered from 426 semi-structured interviews and the results were weighted according to the distribution of driver licences among city residents, by gender and age group (18–24, 25–44, 45–64, and 65+). Seven percent of drivers reported having had an accident while distracted, with the most commonly reported distraction being the drivers' own thoughts (2.5%), followed by looking at something outside the vehicle (2%) and talking to a passenger (1.1%). Furthermore, 35.7% reported having had a near-miss while distracted, with manipulating the audio entertainment system (8.6%) and talking to passengers (8.2%) being the most common distraction types. The percentage of drivers who reported having had an accident while talking on a hand-held phone, and for reading or sending text messages, were both 0.2%. The proportion of drivers who reported having had a near-miss while talking on a handheld mobile phone, hands-free phone or text messaging (reading or sending), were 2.4%, 0.7% and 4.6%, respectively. However, when drivers were asked whether they knew anybody who had crashed while engaged in each distraction type measured, hand-held phone use was the most commonly identified task. Additionally, we explored potential differences in risk perception, descriptive norms and engagement in distractions between those who experienced an accident or a near-miss and those who did not, for each distraction type. Those who reported engaging in each distraction type were also more likely to report having experienced a crash or near-miss related to that distraction type. Although researchers and public policies place a lot of emphasis on technological distractions, in particular phone-related distractions, these are not the distraction types that are most commonly reported by drivers in relation to accidents, which could suggest that a much broader perspective on driver distraction would be beneficial.
KW - Accident self-reports
KW - Distracted driving
KW - Distraction-related accidents
KW - Mobile phone
KW - Near-misses
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053028310&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.trf.2018.08.008
DO - 10.1016/j.trf.2018.08.008
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85053028310
SN - 1369-8478
VL - 59
SP - 124
EP - 134
JO - Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
JF - Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
ER -