Project Summary
In the US in 2015, 3,477 people were killed and about 391,000 were injured due to distracted driving; this accounts for 6.7% of all fatal crashes that year. Distracted driving can take many forms, including talking or texting on a cell phone. These distractions can be characterized as visual, manual and cognitive. Research overwhelmingly supports a detrimental relationship between distracted driving and crash risk. While this relationship clearly occurs during the acts of distraction, there is preliminary evidence that the elevated crash risk continues for some time after the distracted acts are over, whether by hands-held or hands-free. This would explain the research showing that hands free driving is as dangerous as hands-held cellphone use while driving. Most states have enacted restrictions in hands-held cell phone use, including talking and texting, but none have addressed handsfree. Distracted driving is an important element in our strategies towards Vision Zero. However, our laws and policies need to reflect the science of distracted driving. The purpose of this study is to characterize the effects of receiving texts and other distractions on driving safety measures, to determine the ‘hangover’ effect after a distraction event, whether hands free or hands held. The study will recruit and test 100 volunteer drivers in a driving simulator, under varied distraction conditions. Outcomes will include driving errors, speed, weaving, ‘crashes’, and other measures of driving quality. The timing from the distraction event to the time and length of the distraction will provide information on the ‘hangover’ ongoing effects of distraction, both hands-free and hands-held. This 12- month study, a collaborative effort between the Schools of Medicine and Engineering at UC San Diego, will guide legislators and public health professionals on evidence-based distracted driving legislation and messages.