Driver's Ed-Distractions

Dividing attention between multi-task performances can be utilized...

#to place a vehicle in a lane position. .look at POT to the rear or side lane reference points #A driver may look to the POT, center, left side, or right side lane placement reference points to position the vehicle within the lane

Audio Systems

(almost every vehicle sold in the U.S today has it) Includes: .Am/FM receivers .satellite receivers .cassette players .CD players .supplementary speakers

Distractions and inattention caused a percentage of WHAT?

68% of rear-end crashes ---Other typical kinds of crashes caused by driver distractions involve backing up, making lane changes, and merging

Dividing attention is a what??

Learned activity

Dividing Attention (def.):

changing attention from the POT to traffic, roadway, vehicle, passengers, gauges, etc

Multi-Task Performances

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Varying Responses in Different States

.Currently 21 States and the District of Columbia prohibit novice drivers from using electronic communication devices (including cell phones) during the learners and intermediate stages of a three-stage graduated driver license (GDL) program. -- Six States ban hand held phone use for ALl drivers -- 19 States ban texting by all drivers

Reasons for the OVER-INVOLVEMENT of drivers under age 20 in distracted driving, including:

.lack of driving experience .lack of experience performing tasks which could cause the distraction .increased risk taking .lack of familiarity with particular vehicles

when complicated visual and mental tasks, the human brain slows down, misses a problem (crashes) or fails to identify a major hazard:

.new drivers must learn how to complete multi-task performances within the driving task and manage other potential problems by using the reduced risk driving practices .new drivers often have this situation occur at the start of learning to drive because new drivers tend to need to watch everything around the car .when drivers try to watch everything it is difficult to keep a proper speed and lane position, due to over stimulating the eyes and the brain .due to training and experiences, many drivers operate at different levels of precision performance of skills and reduced-risk decion-making

Drivers with high risk driving habits are more likely to perform activites that may be distracting while driving, such as:

.read and write .manipulate vehicle controls for extended periods of time .focus on an external distraction .have an emotionally charged discussion with passengers .reach for objects inside their vehicle .use a cell phone .performing grooming activities

Text Statistics:

.the percentage of young drivers texting or using other hand-held electronic devices has increased from 2007, according to the NHTSA 2008 nationwide survey, which provides the only nationwide probability-based observed data on driver electronic device use in the U.S

Cell Phones

.the safest option for a driver would be to refrain from a cell phone use while driving ---The driver must focus his/her full attention on the driving task

Senses

.the senses are bombarded with input to the brain while driving .all the input must be weighed by the driver before the action is taken .drivers must decide what is crucial for decision to change speed, change position on the road, or communicate if the driver gets too much information to be processed, the driver: ---panics --shuts down the important process of predicting and deciding ---reacts abruptly without planning appropriate speed, position or communication

Vehicle Occupants: ----occupants could distract the driver by:

.throwing or yelling at the driver .throwing objects inside or outside the vehicle .partially hanging out the vehicle .yelling at persons outside the vehicle .unexpectedly adjusting audio system controls .unexpectedly adjusting vehicle controls

Audio systems

.to reduce risk, responsible drivers will minimize any adjustment to the audio system .non-drivers can be assigned audio system responsibility, thereby resulting in maximum audio flexibility, with minimal impact on the driver's attention .the audio system's volume should be out at a level that always permits the driver to be fully aware of any warning sounds in the traffic environment

Other distracting activities include:

.using a cell phone .eating and drinking .talking to passengers .grooming .reading, including maps .using a PDA or navigation system .watching a video .changing the radio station, CD, or Mp3 player

Cell Phones

.utilize voice mail or other passengers for help with taking cell phone calls. It is the responsibility of the driver to use his/her best discretion

Driving involves all of the driver's senses:

.visual .kinesthetic .hearing .touch .smell

It is also important to.....

keep in mind that some activities are carried out MORE FREQUENTLY and for longer periods of time and may result in greater risk

Visual

taking your eyes off the road

Manual

taking your mind off what you're doing

Refrain from using a cell phone while driving, which includes......

talking, dialing, and texting

Multi-Task Performances:

tasks necessary for the safe vehicle operation in the HTS including signaling, changing gears, checking gauges, checking mirrors, checking blindspot, checking speed, checking lane position, accelerating, braking, or a combination of the above, etc

The available research indicates....

that cell phone use while driving, whether it is a hands-free or hand-held device, degrades a driver's performance. ----the driver is more likely to miss key visual and audio cues needed to avoid a crash. Hand-held devices may be slightly worse, but hands-free devices are NOT risk-free

One of the reasons crashes happen within an area close to home is....

the driver learns to anticipate speed, signals, signs, and the roadway .when a distraction happens, the driver is often NOT prepared mentally to see developing hazards

The choice to engage in non-driving tasks is usually.....

under the individual's control!! And some people do so more frequently ---The younger, inexperienced drivers under 20-years have the HIGHEST PROPORTION of distraction-related fatal crashes

"Rubbernecking"

when a person continually looks/maintains focus on a scene presented in front of them, most notably a car crash ---this phenomena can be quite dangerous, increasing the chance of experiencing a collision

Although not a law....

DOT recently launched a national campaign to encourage the public to get involved in ending distracted driving . --"Put it Down" focuses on the key messages that drivers can't do two things at once, everyone has a personal responsibility to pay attention while behind the wheel --The implementation of legislation and high visibility enforcement will lead to increased consequences for distracted driving.

While any driving has the potential to....

cause a young driver to experience a crash, several specific distractions have been identified as particularly hazardous to young drivers (under age 20), these including: .August radio/CD/cassette .outside person, object or event .other occupants

What requires a driver to take his/her eyes off the road but still requires time management?

checking the mirrors checking the instrument panel checking the blindspot, etc

If more time is needed to complete the multi-task performance.....

driver should use more than one look and always remember to return visual and mental attention back to the POT between looks

Generally, distractions laws...

fall under the jurisdiction States. *However, President Obama has issued an executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving on government business or with government equipment* ---In addition, contractors conducting government business are prohibited from texting while conducting business on behalf of the government

Research Indicates....

for young drivers, the greater number of similarly-aged occupants aboard, the more likely a crash is to occur. This is major reasons why many states' graduated driver licensing systems restrict the number of similarly-aged passengers that can be in a vehicle with a novice driver

Every driver has from time to time.....

had their attention drawn away from their driving task

Some research findings show....

both activities to be equally risky, while others shows cell phone use to be more risky. A significant difference between the two is the fact that a passenger can monitor the driving situation along with the driver and pause for, or alert the driver to, potential hazards, whereas a person on the other end of the phone line is unaware of the roadway situation --*However, when two or more teens are in the vehicle, crash risk is increased. And while we can't say for sure this is attributable to distraction, we are confident that distraction plays a role*

Auditory Distraction:

where your visual and/or cognitive attention would be distracted by noise(s)

Remember:

NEVER look away from the POT for more than a 1/2 SECOND AT A TIME! ---Then the visual and mental attention must be placed back to the POT

A driver must be able to....

reach without looking to activate the signal level, gear shift, headlights, windshield wipers, etc

Distracted driving is any....

"non-driving activity" person engages in while operating a motor vehicle. Such activities have the potential to distract the person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing

City Ordinance, Austin, TX

(A) a driver of a motor vehicle may not use a wireless communication device to view, send, or compose an electronic message or engage other application software while operating a motor vehicle (B) it is an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense under this section if a wireless communications device is used 1. while the vehicle is stopped; 2. STRICTLY to engage in telephone conversation, including dialing or deactivating the call; 3. As a global positioning or navigation system that is affixed to the vehicle 4. For obtaining emergency assistance to report a traffic accident, medical emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or to prevent a crime about to be committed; 5. In the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety is in immediate danger; 6. If the device is permanently installed the inside vehicle or; 7. Solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode

In addition, in January 2010...

*the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted an interim ban that prohibits commercial vehicle drivers from texting while behind the wheel* --In March 2010, a proposed rule was announced that would make that ban stronger and more durable.

Distractions (Info)

.In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes that involved distracted driving .Distracted driving=applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the steering wheel, or interrupts your concentration while driving. ."""The primary responsibility of the driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely"" .Drivers should resist engaging in any activity that takes their eyes and attention off the road for more than a couple of seconds .In some circumstances even a second or two can make all the difference in a driver being able to avoid a crash

System (NASS) General Estimates System

.In 2008, there were a total od 34,017 total crashes in which 37,261 individuals were killed .In 2008, 5,870 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction (16 percent of total fatalities) .The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of the fatal crashes has increased from 8 percent in 2004 to 11 percent in 2008 .The under-20 age group had the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes (16%). The age group with the next greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the 20-to-29 year old age group (12%) .Motorcyclists and drivers of light trucks had the greatest percentage of total drivers reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes (12%)

Note:

.In Texas it's illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to use a cell phone including texting while driving unless it is an emergency

Use of Electronic Devices While Driving

.Nationwide, those drivers observed visibly manipulating hand-held electronic devices increased from .7 percent to 1 percent .Some 1.7 percent of drivers 16 to 24 years old were observed manipulating hand-held electronic devices, up from 1.0 percent the previous year .Most drivers in Western States were observed manipulating hand-held electronic devices(2.1%) than in the other regions of the country (from .4% in the Northeast to .8% in the Midwest .The use of hand-held devices increased the most in the West, from .6 percent in 2007 to 2.1 percent in 2008 .The observed use of rate of hand-held electronic devices was higher among females(1.2 %) than among males(.8%)

What are the critical driver behaviors to the driving task?:

.POT; it is crucial to keep a car within the lane of travel .LOS; allows the driver to see far ahead and allows time and space needed to make speed and position adjustments .Operating a vehicle requires coordination skills: -eyes, hand and foot -repetitive actions must be used -procedural tasks must be accurate -driving a vehicle is a MENTAL process -a mental driving system is needed to manage time and space -drivers must search for and recognize when there is a LOS or POT travel restriction .Drivers must respond with appropriate: -speed adjustments -position adjustments -communication of intentions

The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that there are THREE main types of distraction:

.Visual .Manual .Cognitive

Examples of how multi-task performances in the brain tries to process too many bits of information:

.What does a computer do when there are too many bits of information to process? (The computer slows or crashes) .What can drivers ask you to do when they drive in a new city or have too much information to process? (some turn off the radio, ask their passenger to quiet down, or concentrate more carefully) .What you have noticed other drivers doing what they are not paying attention to driving? (Swerve to another lane, slow down, or wait too long at a traffic signal .What would happen if you were juggling three balls and someone suddenly threw a fourth one or suddenly called out your name? (the juggler would probably drop the other balls and have to start all over again)

Potential Distractions regarding Audio Systems:

.adjusting the vehicle's audio controls ---moving one's eyes and having to refocus on the shorter distance between the eyes and the dash or steering wheel, even for a short time, can result in a complete discontinuation of visual feedback from the driving scene .Setting the audio system volume too loud .A driver could miss out on important information that is obtained through the ears, including emergency vehicle's sirens, horns or screeching tires

A driver's goal should be eliminate all in-vehicle distractions before driving begins. Accomplishing this goal can be done by:

.assess all potential in-vehicle distractions before driving .develop a preventative plan to reduce/eliminate possible distractions .expect distractions to occur .discuss possible scenarios before getting behind the wheel

Some reasons for distracted driving:

.busy lifestyles .stressful jobs .presence of children and pets in the car

Various forms of distracted driving:

.cell phone use .texting while driving .eating .drinking .talking with passengers .as well as using in-vehicle technologies and portable electronic devices Less Obvious Forms: daydreaming, or dealing with strong emotions

Situations could occur outside a vehicle that could capture a driver's attention:

.crash scenes/rubbernecking .animal in or near roadway .Dawn/Dusk .road construction .objects in roadway .other vehicles .police

Distractions inside the vehicle (continued)

.dialing, talking or answering a cell phone .adjusting radio, cassette, or CD .adjusting the radio has contributed to driver distractions and collisions more often than adjusting a tape or CD player .Carelessness or inattention, even for a second to change the radio station, causes more collisions than other internal distractions .wearing headphones does not allow the driver to listen for conditions outside the vehicle nor increase the driver's divided attention .using device/object in the vehicle (plugging in cell phone charger .reaching for something on the floor (cassette, water bottle, purse) candy, packages falling, object in backseat, other objects (wallet, pills, inhaler), something on the front passenger seat, a beverage, music devices .throwing away trash .rolling down the window .putting on makeup or shaving .using a computer, GPS, or other electronic device .reading a map, paper, mail, or book .writing

Distractions Outside of the Vehicle:

.distracted pedestrians (reading, eating, talking, using electronic devices such as cell phones, mp3, computer tablets, etc) .vehicle swerved into lane .driver changed lane into POT .traffic slowed or stopped .driver encroached into lane .emergency vehicle .bright vehicle lights .billboards and signs .driver being chased by police .officer directing traffic .animal in roadway(deer, dog, elk, etc) .sunrise, sunset .people in roadway (child, basketball game, crowd etc.) .objects in the roadway(broken glass, garbage can, etc, holes) .crash scene .road construction .hills .trees .bicyclist .vision obstructed .tire blowout

In Summary:

.distractions can occur while driving .young drivers are especially susceptible to distraction while driving .distracted driving can cause collisions, resulting in injuries, deaths and property damage .costs associated with such crashes, including those resulting from criminal and civil proceedings, can be extremely high .with some forethought and pre-drive planning, drivers can prevent many potential distractions from taking place while driving .by developing a plan to deal with distractions that might occur while driving, drivers can become that much better prepared and equipped to deal with those that do occur .the potential for drivers to become distracted is expected only to increase over time

Potential dangers of using a cell phone wile driving:

.diverting attention away from the driving task .looking away from the road in order to dial .effect on maintaining proper lane position .impact on ability to perceive potential problems .ability to make quick decisions .reduced situational awareness .ability to execute emergency maneuvers

Examples of M.T performances:

.dividing attention from the POT to check speed, check mirror, check lane position, and check radio (are all learned activities)

Nature of the distracted driving traffic crash problem:

.drivers under age 20 are most likely to be involved in distracted driving crashes .almost 50% more likely than the next most at risk group (age 30-49)

Research on Distracted Driving

.driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent .nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured .the younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes .drivers who used hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves .using a cell phone use while driving, whether it's hand-held or hands free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent

Distracted Driving is Risky (statistics):

.each year, more than 40,000 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes and over three million are injured .research indicates that driver distraction is a contributing factor in more than 25 PERCENT OF ALL CRASHES! .distracted driving is when an activity does not allow the driver to visually or mentally SEE THE VEHICLE'S POT OR RESTRICTS THE DRIVER'S LOS that can limit the ability to respond to a problem .these VISUAL AND MENTAL DISTRACTIONS may be LOCATED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR INSIDE THE VEHICLE as they cause the driver to lose attention to the task of operating the vehicle .A distracted driver may be IN-ATTENTIVE or "LOST IN THOUGHT"--AS THESE ACTIVITIES REMOVE THE DRIVER'S MENTAL ATTENTION FROM THE DRIVING TASK

Distractions inside of the Vehicle

.eating or drinking .preparing food to eat (folding paper, adding sauces, etc) .choking on food .spilling food or drinks .eating and drinking distractions are even more risky at speeds above 45 mph .other occupants in the vehicle. Distractions involving other occupants in the vehicle occur at any time but are over-represented when driving on multi-lane roadways, at intersections, or other roadway junctions .talking, arguing, with passenger .passenger doing something (yelling, grabbing, reaching, fighting, sleeping) .child/infant distraction .looking at passenger(s) in the front or rear seat .objects that move within a vehicle can cause drivers to make quick movements that can lead to serious consequences .dog (barking, jumping, hitting steering wheel) .insect (swatting, flying into window, into vehicle .objects falling off seat, spilled groceries, spilled beverage .object rolling under accelerator or brake pedal .All actions involved with smoking can be a distraction (searching for a cigarette, lighting the cigarette, dropping the cigarette, the cigarette blowing back into the vehicle when trying to dispose of it out the window--can cause forest fires

Info about NHTSA

.encouraging State and local government partners to reduce fatalities and crashes by identifying ways that STATES can address distracted driving in their Strategic Highway Safety Plans .NHTSA has a demonstration project with jurisdictions in Connecticut and New York to determine whether the high visibility enforcement and focused media can reduce driver's use of cell phones while driving.

Several Benefits to having an audio system aboard a vehicle:

.having access to music and other programming to help pass the miles .gaining the latest information on local, national and international events .obtaining road travel reports on weather, construction, road closures and crashes .used wisely, audio systems can help keep drivers' mind engaged.

Higher risk drivers tend to have:

.higher levels of no hands on the steering wheel .their eyes directed inside rather than outside the vehicle .their vehicles wander in the travel lane or cross into another travel lane driver distractions: caused by an enormous increase in cell phones

Steps to reduce risks of distracted driving:

.installing rumble strips along roads to get the attention of drivers before they leave the roadway and/or deviate from their lane .States can also adopt and enforce laws to ban distracted driving; NHTSA recently developed, in conjunction with 20 safety groups and associations, a sample distracted driving law

Some distractions include:

.interactive communication devices-cell phones .grooming .adjusting the audio system-changing the channel, changing CDs, satellite radio .pagers .occupants-infants, children, adults .eating .moving objects .adjusting vehicle controls-air conditioning system, tilt of steering wheel, mirrors, seat position, dash light brightness .navigation systems .reading .drinking .foreign objects in-car insect, trash .Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) .high radio volume .smoking .pets .researching for objects .sneezing

In addition, manage multi-task performances includes dividing the mental and visual attention to the target and dashboard, examples include the target and:

.intersection controls .intersection entry and exit .entry, apex, and exit to a curve

Learning how to manage multi-task performances:

.know how to operate the vehicle controls .be able to keep the vehicle on the road .be able to keep the vehicle in the lane .be able to place the vehicle in different lane positions to avoid risk .be able to keep the vehicle in the planned POT while checking speed .be able to adjust speed and lane position while checking for pedestrians, animals, or bicyclists.

Vehicle Occupants

In the unlikely event of an extreme situation, the driver, who is responsible for and in control of his or her vehicle, must decide whether an occupant or occupants should be removed from the vehicle

Developing ______ space management process will help develop VISUAL and MENTAL divided attention tasks needed to reduce risk while distracted:

SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) .a driver starts with one visual and mental activity, then adds other activities to a driving system to mentally manage the space and time around the vehicle (do not add more than you can manage) .using a mental driving system allows the driver to develop a habit of using the eyes to search for the information that the brain needs to process .a driving system allows the driver time to evaluate POT and LOS for problems, so that time is available to execute a change in speed or position and communicate intentions to others

A significant difference between the two (hands-free and held-held) is the fact that....

a passenger can monitor the driving situation along with the driver and pause for or alert the driver to potential hazards, whereas a person on the other end of the phone line is unaware of the roadway situation

Most crashes involve.....

a relatively unique set of circumstances that make precise calculations of risk for engaging in different behaviors very difficult. --Thus, the available research does not provide a DEFINITE answer as to which behavior is riskier. --Although researches have different conclusions on the matter, all of their studies show elevated risk (or poorer driving performance) when the driver is distracted.

Drivers Simply Cannot(!!!) Concentrate Fully on Two Things At Once

according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others

Allowing managing multi-task performances can lead to...

missed brake lights, missed traffic sign or signal, missed animal or pedestrian, or a drift out of lane position .A driver can learn to operate a vehicle with simple eye, hand, and feet coordination, but the driving task is a mental process that needs constant attention to POT in order to keep the vehicle within the lane space and adjust to any restrictions in the POT .It is important to recognize that taking attention from POT means the vehicle is moving on the roadway without the driver seeing where the vehicle is going or mentally processing any new information .This is why it is so critical to NEVER look away from POT for more than one-half second at a time without moving visual and mental attention back to POT

As a general rule, drivers should make every effort to....

move to a safe place off of the road before using a cell phone! ----HOWEVER, in emergency situations a driver must use their judgment regarding the urgency of the situation and the necessity to use a cell phone while driving 2

Multi-task performances relate to vehicle movements including:

moving forward stopping lateral maneuver turning backing

Complicated visual or mental tasks divide...

our attention into smaller and smaller bits of information that the brain can process.

Attention-grabbing events occurring...

outside the vehicle will likely be surprising and/or rare, such as crash or sighting a hot air balloon. While these may be interesting events, drivers must remember that safe driving remains the priority.

While all distractions can endanger drivers' safety, texting is the most alarming because it involves.......

three(visual, manual, and cognitive) types of distraction