The prevalence of distracted driving dd related to cell phones among middleaged adults was high. Laws are a critical part of the traffic safety equation to address distracted driving, but not the only component. Distracted driving is an increasing and deadly problem that presents questions lawyers and courts will need to grapple with. This notice details the proposed contents of the second phase of the national highway traffic safety administrations nhtsa driver distraction guidelines phase 2 guidelines. Over 80 percent of drivers view distracted driving as a bigger problem than three years ago. Policy statement and compiled faqs on distracted driving. Overview, dot hs 812 826, nhtsa, october, 2019 distracted driving deaths fell in 2018 by the largest percentage in 10 years. In 2019, distracted driving was a reported factor in 8.
Children among top driving distractions for parents. In vehicle routeguidance or navigation systems are designed to guide drivers to a. Nhtsa distracted driving research plan april 2010 pdf doths811299. Handheld cell phone use while driving is highest among 15 to 29yearold drivers. The dds was used to capture major reading and writing activities associated with smartphone use while driving. Ive seen so many accidents and close calls because of distracted driving over the years. With april 2015 designated as national distracted driving awareness month, the national highway transportation safety administration nhtsa hopes to raise awareness about the hazards of distracted driving and get the message out with this slogan. Get the facts, get involved, and help us keep americas roads safe.
Nhtsa takes historic step to remove unnecessary barriers to vehicles equipped with automated driving systems. Study finds handsfree talking while driving is just as dangerous as heldheld conversations. Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on americas roadways. Interviewing began on january 20, 2015, and ended on april 14, 2015. Mississippi drivers most likely to be distracted by phone. Unfortunately, this book cant be printed from the openbook. Apr 24, 20 in a 273page report released in conjunction with its distracted driving recommendations, nhtsa details a study of 204 drivers. Distracted driving according to the national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa, driver distraction is the leading factor in most crashes.
Distracted driving motor vehicle safety cdc injury center. The national highway traffic safety administration estimates 10% of fatal crashes 3,328 and 18% of injury crashes 421,000 were attributable to distracted driving in 2012. Nhtsas national center for statistics and analysis. The laws and public warnings about distracted driving cant overcome the basic reality that driving is a boring, monotonous task that a lot of people view as a necessary evil, said kelly.
According to the national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa, in 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed in cases involving distracted driving, and of those killed, teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes distracted driving, n. Studies from a number of countries suggest that the proportion of drivers using mobile phones while driving has increased over the past 510 years, ranging from 1% to up to 11%. The 2012 national occupant protection use survey nopus found that 5 percent of drivers hold their cell phones to their ears while driving. The agencys blueprint for ending distracted driving was released in 2012 and summarized the steps the agency would take to reduce distracted driving, including issuing nonbinding, voluntary guidelines. Distracted driving research, infographics teens and young drivers. Nhtsa undertook this nationally representative survey of drivers in order to collect data on the nature and scope of the distracted driving problem with the intent of understanding how serious the problem is in the publics eyes, and what countermeasures the public may accept to control distracted driving. In fact, the average insurance penalty is up nearly 8,000% since 2011 and its costing some people hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their annual premium. National survey of distracted and drowsy driving reports respondents. With the availability of more sophisticated cellphone and automobile technology, it is inevitable that more and more drivers will be distracted in their quest to multitask while operating a vehicle. The beginning of this research note looks at the number. One text or call could wreck it all traffic safety marketing.
Jan 27, 2016 did you know that when you send or receive a text you take your eyes off the road for 5 second. Aaa foundation for traffic safety placed data recorders in the vehicles of young drivers to capture video, audio, sudden braking, abrupt turns and other information. Traffic safety administration nhtsa estimates that there are at least 3,000 deaths. This should be mandatory reading for anyone with a child who is becoming of driving age to get them started on the right foot. In that instant, over that distance, a life can be takenmaybe even yours. Distracted driving in the year 2009, 16% of total fatalities have involved distracted drivers and the numbers would be 5474 people killed. Distracted driving, a major preventable cause of motor. Numerous research studies have addressed driver distraction. Driver distractions are the leading cause of most vehicle collisions and near collisions. Campaign canceled, but no time off for distracted driving. Dd, specifically with cell phones, was reported by most participants. National academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine.
An estimated 391,000 drivers were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2017. The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness, and education. Peer pressure is part of texting and driving teens cant say no. In 2017 3,242 people were killed in distracted driving crashes and in 2018, 2,841, an overall approximate 12% decrease. Summary of naturalistic driving study distraction risk analyses. Distracted driving is any form of activity that diverts a persons attention away from their primary task of driving, including texting, eating and drinking, grooming, talking on the phone or to passengers and listening to loud music. Distracted driving data from the nhtsa, cdc, and national. A highway safety countermeasure guide for state highway safety offices. Keep in mind that distracted driving is vastly underreported, so the actual economic figure is likely much higher.
Oct 15, 2008 a practical resource for understanding, preventing, and managing driver distraction it is estimated that up to 23 percent of crashes and nearcrashes are caused by driver distraction, and these figures will likely increase as more and more distractions, both inside and outside the vehicle, compete for driver attention. The zebras 2018 distracted driving report reveals that for the first time since the advent of cell phones, car insurance companies are penalizing drivers who text or use their cell phones while driving. Nhtsa issues new distracted driving guidelines kelley. March 17, 2020 2020 public service awards announced the 12 honorees have helped improve safety on our roads. Distracted driving is an issue which is increasing in severity. Each day in the united states, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. The national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa has put the call out to smartphone companies to help lead the way in reducing distracted driving. Distracted driving behaviors related to cell phone use. A nationally representative survey of distracted driving attitudes and behavior. It was great to read about the science behind how people just cant multitask while driving a vehicle. States can also adopt and enforce laws to ban distracted driving. At that time, a variety of products were beginning to be offered for use in.
A descriptive analysis of the weighted data brought out some interesting facts about distracted driving. Additional resources home national highway traffic. Instead, the council is urging nhtsa to study whether its feasible to develop a way to estimate cellphone distracted crashes. Distracted driving behaviors related to cell phone use among middleaged adults. Nhtsa is 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. The national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa has categorized three types of dd. The automobile safety foundation, a nonprofit organization founded 1988 is introducing novel safety ideas and programs based on the science of road concentration. Distracted driving behaviors related to cell phone use among.
Reading printed materials such as a book, newspaper, or mail 80% feel it makes. Of those injured in distracteddrivingrelated crashes. Jan 16, 2020 distracted driving was the reported cause of death of 3,450 people in 2016. Two studies, one conducted by nhtsa and the other by virginia tech transportation institute in cooperation with nhtsa, have shed some light onto distracted driving. Previous research indicates dedicated law enforcement over a specified period coupled with enforcementbased messaging can reduce observed electronic device use rates. Distracted driving killed 3,477 people on americas roads in 2015. Those drivers were monitored for 31 days as they used a range of. Lawyers handling distracted driving cases should be aware of nhtsa s recommendations and guidelines for reducing distracted driving. This report presents the survey findings from the 2015 nsddab. Nhtsa national highway traffic safety administration. Distracted driving among newly licensed teen drivers. The large truck crash causation study analysis brief fmcsa. According to a study released by the national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa and the virginia tech transportation institute vtti, 80 percent of collisions and 65 percent of near collisions involve some form of. Of those people killed in distracteddrivingrelated.
For comparison, there were 39,773 gun deaths in the united states in 2017. Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of nearcrashes involve some form of distraction within three seconds before the event. During the 100car naturalistic driving study, driver involvement in secondary tasks contributed to over 22 percent of all crashes. The secretary shall conduct a study of all forms of distracted driving. At 55 mph, thats like driving the length of an entire football field, blindfolded. Nhtsa has postponed the distracted driving extra enforcement campaigns, said the agency, which is part of the u. Similar efforts toward distracted driving will likely be a critical aspect of changing the perceptions of modern drivers.
Distracted driving countermeasures for commercial vehicles. Nhtsas teen driving site contains information on states driver licensing requirements for teens as well as ideas and resources to help youthe parentslay down the ground rules with your aspiring driver before you hand over the car keys. Federal register visualmanual nhtsa driver distraction. Our state and local partners are keys to any success we will have in addressing distracted driving. May 08, 20 instead, the council is urging nhtsa to study whether its feasible to develop a way to estimate cellphone distracted crashes. If you need to print pages from this book, we recommend downloading it as a pdf.
Continuing its effort to help reduce the incidence of distracted driving, the department of transportations national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa today released new voluntary. Peer pressure is part of texting and driving teens cant. The data comes from a pair of studies undertaken by national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa to better understand drivers behaviors and attitudes regarding speeding, unsafe driving, distracted and drowsy driving. Nhtsa recently developed, in conjunction with 20 safety groups and associations, a sample distracted driving law. Drivers still cant keep hands off phones, study finds. Since 2007, drivers age 1624 have been distracted by devices at higher rates than other drivers, but were all at risk for distracted driving crashes. Higher dd scores more dd were associated with obligations to take work calls. Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today. Distracted driving research national safety council. In a study analyzed by nhtsa, teen drivers were twoandahalf times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage peer, compared to when driving alone. Visualmanual nhtsa driver distraction guidelines for invehicle. Nhtsa leads the national effort to save lives by preventing this dangerous behavior. Apr 19, 2012 peer pressure is part of texting and driving teens cant say no. Young drivers report highest level of phone involvement in crash or nearcrash incidences.
Understanding the effects of distracted driving and. Nhtsas distracteddriving guidelines say handsfree calls. Distracted driving materials and resources download here from various sources including osha, distracted driving. Distraction national highway traffic safety administration. The federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa and the national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa conducted the large truck crash causation study ltccs to examine the reasons for serious crashes involving large trucks trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds. If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first. From 1980 to 1985, over 700 new drunk driving laws hit the books across the u. If you have a teen driver, youll at least want to read the executive summary of this eyeopening study. A comprehensive approach to addressing distracted driving includes not only laws but several additional elements read more. Distracted driving is a subset within the definition of inattention, which most importantly includes fatigue and emotional conditions road rage is a real thing. The parent supervised driving program parent and teen resources and info to help teens during the learners permit period traffic safety marketing tsm nhtsa site for communications resource for states, partner organizations, and highway safety professionals. The dictionarys editors noted that distracted driving is another reflectionand consequenceof our ongoing romance with all thin. We can all be inspired by their work and contributions, says nhtsa s acting administrator. Join us each week this month as we explore a different aspect of distracted driving and learn more about how everyday distractions have caused a public health crisis on u.
At that time, a variety of products were beginning to be offered for use in heavy trucks, mostly for tracking of vehicles and to. The national highway traffic and safety administration, nhtsa, compiles accident data gathered by local police, and has developed a categorization of the causes of accidents. Invehicle routeguidance or navigation systems are designed to guide drivers to a. According to the same study analyzed by nhtsa, the likelihood of teen drivers engaging in one or more risky behaviors when traveling with multiple passengers increased to three times compared to when driving. National survey on distracted driving attitudes and. The national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa has been researching driver distraction with. Past nhtsa research truck driver workload study nhtsas first major effort in this area was the truck driver workload study, conducted between 1992 and 1995 tijerina, 1996. Nhtsa wants smartphone security measures to reduce. Driving with distraction american council on science and. Similar efforts toward distracted driving will likely be a critical aspect of. Distracted and drowsy driving attitudes and behavior. The government already makes national estimates on drunken driving.
Past nhtsa research truck driver workload study nhtsa s first major effort in this area was the truck driver workload study, conducted between 1992 and 1995 tijerina, 1996. Previous research by nhtsa estimates that distracted driving is a factor in at least 3,000 deaths per year, though the actual number is likely much higher. The purpose of the phase 2 guidelines is to provide a safety framework for developers of portable and aftermarket. In 2016, 70 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes were male, as compared to 74 percent of drivers in all fatal crashes. Readers are cautioned that some subgroup analyses are based on a smaller number of cases. Additional resources home national highway traffic safety. This report presents the findings on distracted driving including cell phone use and drowsy driving. Distracted driving by law enforcement officers resulting. Evaluation of nhtsa distracted driving demonstration projects in. One example is installing rumble strips along roads to get the attention of drivers before they leave the roadway andor deviate from their lane. Understanding the consequences of distracted driving. Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 2,841 lives in 2018 alone.
A national highway traffic safety administration survey found 20% of drivers age 1820 said texting does not affect their driving, and nearly 30% of drivers ages 24 said texting has no impact. In 2009, websters new world college dictionarys word of the year was distracted driving. Current and previous nhtsa research investigates how distraction impacts driver performance, and develops and evaluated vehiclebased countermeasures to minimize the negative effects. In a 273page report released in conjunction with its distracted driving recommendations, nhtsa details a study of 204 drivers. Distracted driving and driver, roadway, and environmental. Distracted drivers arent just a threat to themselves. But, in that span of time, with your eyes on your phone and not on the road, a vehicle travelling 55 miles per hour can travel the length of a football field.
The car she was driving had clipped a snow bank and spun into oncoming traffic, where it was tboned by an suv. Also included is the link where all usa state cellphone laws are posted. The study s numbers may underestimate the actual amount of distracted driving going on, as people who use an app to track their safe driving habits may be predisposed to drive more safely. These are more than 5000 people who wont get to spend time with family, see their children or parents, talk about good old times with friends, or finish school. The impact of handheld and handsfree cell phone use. Distracted driving 2010 us department of transportation. Traffic safety facts us department of transportation.