Distracted Driving

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor College of Nursing

andCentral Texas Regional Advisory Council

Injury Prevention Committee

Spring 2010

UMHB Nursing Students:Courtni Sladek, SNSarah Schlichting, SNTamara Littlefield, SNHannah Jones, SNAngela Ellingson, SN

CTRAC Injury Prevention Committee Chair:

Susan Burchfield

Pre-TestResource:

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Your-Brain-on-Texting-Quiz

One third of teens admit to texting while driving…

Some will nevermake it home.

Distracted Driving Video

Graphic….Watch at your own risk!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC3x7K3EOTk

TV MA

Statistics• 71% of people between 18 and 49 admit they talk on

the phone or text while they drive.• 500,000 people are injured each year in accidents

involving distracted driving.• 6,000 people are killed in accidents involving distracted

driving each year.• 29 states have laws restricting texting and driving

Why is distracted driving increasing?

• Technology is becoming more advanced and more portable

• We live in a fast paced world where we like immediate gratification.

• This generation does not like to be bored!

It’s not about where your hands are, but about where your focus is…

• It is still just as dangerous to talk on a hands free device

• There is a difference in talking on the phone and talking to a passenger in the vehicle, it has been proven less dangerous.

Drews, F., Pasupathi, M., & Strayer, D. (2008). Passenger and cell phone conversations in simulated driving. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 14(4), 392-400.

So you’re a good texter?

• It does NOT matter if– You text fast– You don’t have to look at the phone to dial or text– You consider yourself a “good” or “experienced”

driver

Cooper, J, & Strayer, D. (2008). Effects of simulator practice and real-world experience on cell phone-related driver distraction. Human Factors, 50(6), 893-902.

Other Distractions

• Eating • Drinking• Changing radio stations• Changing CDs• Picking music on an iPod• Using a GPS• Using internet on phone or in the car• Putting on make up

A Comparison of the Cell Phone Driver and

the Drunk Driver

Strayer, D.L., Drews, F.A, & Crouch, D.J. (2006). A Comparison of the cell phone driver and the drunk driver. Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, 48(2), 381-91.

Cell Phone Driver vs Drunk Driver

• “The relative risk [of being in a traffic accident while using a cell phone] is similar to the hazard associated with driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit." • 699 motor vehicle accidents. 24% of

these were using their cell phone within the 10 minutes of the accident.

Cell Phone Driver vs Drunk Driver

• Distracted Drivers:– More rear-end collisions.– Longer reaction times – Shorter following distance– Longer acceleration times

• Drunk Drivers: – neither accident rates, reaction time nor recovery of

lost speed following braking differed significantly.• Overall, drivers in the alcohol condition exhibited

a more aggressive driving style.

Proposed Solutions

• Change people’s driving behaviors• Implement and enforce stronger traffic laws• Continue to research and advance technology

Mohebbi, R., Gray, R., & Tan, H. (2009). Driver reaction time to tactile and auditory rear-end warnings while talking on a cell phone. Human Factors, 51(1), 102-110.

Constant, A., Salmi, L., Lafont, S., Chiron, M., & Lagarde, E. (2009). Road casualties and changes in risky driving behavior in france between 2001 and 2004 among participants in the gazel cohort. American Journal of Public Health, 99(7), 1247-1253.

Sarkar, S., & Andreas, M. (2004). Cellular phone use while driving at night. Adolescence, 39(156), 687-700.

In Conclusion

• Distracted driving is dangerous• People have created ways to decrease it• We need to do our part to tell others and

SAVE LIVES!

“Your Brain on Texting”Oprah and her No Phone Zone team test three drivers who claim to be good at texting while

they drive.

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Testing-Text-Messaging-Drivers-Video

Texting Simulation ActivityWe need a VOLUNTEER!!!

•A series of pictures will be flashed on the screen and you are to try and remember as many as you can and

then recite them when your done

•The first time you will be responding to a text message that you will receive on the phone provided

•Then the exercise will be repeated with no texting to evaluate your attention to details with and without

distractions

DOG

BABY

FLOWER

CANDY CANE

CAR

HOUSE

CAT

COMPUTER

WOMAN

BEACH

LAMP

SQUARE!

PEDESTRIAN

RAILROAD CROSSING

MICKEY MOUSE

SPEED LIMIT SIGN

CIRCLE

SCHOOL BUS

FIRE HYDRANT

YIELD SIGN

STAR

HAMBURGER

GRANNY

RED LIGHT

RAINBOW

TEDDY BEAR

STOP SIGN

BIKE

BASKETBALL

Distracted Driving Contract I promise to do my part to help reduce or end distracted driving by pledging

to be a safer driver. I will:

___ Not text while I am driving

___ Not text while driving and will use only hands free callingif I need to speak on the phone while I am driving.

___ Not text or use my phone while I am driving. If I need touse my phone, I will pull over to the side of the road.

I will ask other drivers I know to eliminate or reduce distractedDriving habits.

Signature:_________________________________Date:__________________

Post TestResource:

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Your-Brain-on-Texting-Quiz

ResourcesConstant, A., Salmi, L., Lafont, S., Chiron, M., & Lagarde, E. (2009). Road casualties and

changes in risky driving behavior in france between 2001 and 2004 among participants in the gazel cohort. American Journal of Public Health, 99(7),

1247-1253.Cooper, J, & Strayer, D. (2008). Effects of simulator practice and real-world experience

on cell phone-related driver distraction. Human Factors, 50(6), 893-902.Drews, F., Pasupathi, M., & Strayer, D. (2008). Passenger and cell phone conversations

in simulated driving. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 14(4), 392-400.Mohebbi, R., Gray, R., & Tan, H. (2009). Driver reaction time to tactile and auditory

rear-end warnings while talking on a cell phone. Human Factors, 51(1), 102- 110.

Sarkar, S., & Andreas, M. (2004). Cellular phone use while driving at night. Adolescence, 39(156), 687-700.

Strayer, D.L., Drews, F.A, & Crouch, D.J. (2006). A Comparison of the cell phone driver and the drunk driver. Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, 48(2), 381-

91. http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Your-Brain-on-Texting-Quizhttp://www.oprah.com