scholarly journals A Scoping Study on Driver’s Perspective of Distracting Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Taleb M. Al-Rousan ◽  
Abdullahi A. Umar ◽  
Aslam A. Al-Omari ◽  
Yahia A. Khalaylah ◽  
Hamza M. Alkuime ◽  
...  

Distracting activities while driving are common and can result in errors that threaten road users’ safety. The main objectives of this study were to investigate drivers’ perspectives of the factors contributing to distraction, determine the relative rank of types of distractions, recognize the road factors and environmental effects that make distractions more dangerous, and identify the most effective measures to reduce driver distractions. A survey was conducted to assess Jordanian drivers’ experiences with distracted driving, and what solutions they believed could be implemented to solve the problems. The study’s outcomes revealed that drivers perceive visual distractions as the most dangerous, followed by cognitive, manual, and auditory distractions, respectively. It was also found that “mobile phone texting or dialing” was ranked the top most dangerous visual and manual distracting factor. “Baby is crying or kids are fighting in the back seat” was perceived by all demographic groups as the riskiest auditory factor. Regarding cognitive distraction, four factors were perceived as the most serious, of which “Baby is crying”, “Driving while angry or sad or agitated”, “Talking on a cell phone—even a hands-free one” and “Conversing with passengers” were determined to be the top four distracting factors. The results also revealed that drivers believe that “laws and enforcement” is the most effective measure to reduce distractions while driving.

Author(s):  
Yalda Ebadi ◽  
Donald L. Fisher ◽  
Shannon C. Roberts

Distraction is one of the main causes of traffic crashes. The effect of cell phones, a major contributor to cognitive distraction, on response time has tested in many simulator studies. Response time is not the only driving skill affected by cell phone conversations, however. Specifically, it is known that cell phone usage contributes to a reduction in hazard anticipation skills at intersections, and there are many other scenarios where cell phone conversations could have a detrimental effect. The objective of this study is to determine whether cognitive distractions associated with cell phone use affect hazard anticipation, not only at intersections but also in other scenarios which contain latent hazards. Twenty-four drivers navigated 18 scenarios on a driving simulator twice, with their eye movements continuously monitored. During one drive, participants performed a hands-free mock cell phone task while driving; on the other drive, they navigated through the virtual world without any additional tasks apart from the primary task of driving. The scenarios were classified into two types: intersection and non-intersection. Using a logistic regression model within the framework of generalized estimation equations, it was determined that the proportion of anticipatory glances toward potential hazards was reduced significantly for all scenarios when drivers were engaged in a mock cell phone task. Perhaps the most disturbing finding is that this was true both at work zones and at marked midblock crosswalks, scenarios which often endanger vulnerable road users. In summary, the study found a negative effect of cognitive distraction on latent hazard anticipation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Stacey O. Irwin ◽  

Perception and reciprocity are key understandings in the lived experience of driving while using a cellular phone. When I talk on a cell phone while driving, I interpret the world through a variety of technologically mediated perceptions. I interpret the bumps in the road and the bug on the windshield. I perceive the information on the dashboard and the conversation with the Other on the other end of the technological “line” of the phone. This reflection uses hermeneutical phenomenology to address the things themselves in life with which we relate and interact with in our everydayness, as we talk on a cell phone while driving.


2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
Jun Ren ◽  
Yue Chen ◽  
Fenfen Li ◽  
Cheng Xue ◽  
Xiaoya Yin ◽  
...  

Abstract Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists) account for an increasing proportion of traffic injuries. We used a case-crossover study design to examine the association between cell-phone usage and traffic injuries among pedestrians, bicyclists, and electric bicycle riders during the course of their travel. We studied 643 pedestrians, bike riders, and electric bike riders aged 10–35 years who were involved in a road injury, visited the emergency department in one of the 3 hospitals in Shanghai, China, in 2019, and owned a cell phone. Half of the participants (n = 323; 50.2%) had used a cell phone within 1 minute before the injury happened. A pedestrian’s or rider’s use of a mobile phone up to 1 minute before a road injury was associated with a 3-fold increase in the likelihood of injury (odds ratio = 3.00, 95% confidence interval: 2.04, 4.42; P < 0.001). The finding was consistent across subgroups by sex, occupation, reason for travel, mode of transportation, and location of injury. Use of a cell phone when walking or riding was associated with an increased risk of road injury. Measures should be taken to make people aware of this detrimental impact on the risk of road injury.


Author(s):  
Abu Sadat Nurullah

This article presents a review of studies on the conversational aspect of cell-phone use while operating a motor vehicle. Research has indicated that talking on a cell phone while driving poses a safety threat to people both in the vehicle and on the road. This is because cell phone conversations take considerable cognitive, visual, and physical demands on the person involved in this task. However, research has also shown that people engage in risky driving behavior, even after being cognizant of the dangers associated with it. Therefore, policies need to be implemented to thwart the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle, to educate people about the risks that this behavior poses, and in so doing, to make the road safer for drivers and pedestrians.


2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Chapple

Abstract Over the past 20 years, there have been many advances in the computer industry as well as in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Computers are becoming more compact and have multiple purposes, such as the iPhone, which is a cell phone, mp3 player, and an Internet browser. AAC devices also have evolved to become multi-purpose devices; the most sophisticated devices have functionality similar to the iPhone and iPod. Recently, the idea of having the iPhone and iPad as a communication device was initiated with the development of language applications specifically for this format. It might be true that this idea could become the future of AAC devices; however, there are major access issues to overcome before the idea is a reality. This article will chronicle advancements in AAC devices, specifically on access methods, throughout the years, towards the transition to handheld devices. The newest technologies hold much promise with both features and affordability factors being highly attractive. Yet, these technologies must be made to incorporate alternate access if they are to meet their fullest potential as AAC tools.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1072
Author(s):  
Danica Pollard ◽  
Tamzin Furtado

Real or perceived traffic risk is a significant barrier to walking and cycling. To understand whether similar barriers influence equestrians, this study obtained exercise behaviours, road use and experiences of road-related incidents from UK equestrians (n = 6390) via an online questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with road use and experiencing a near-miss or injury-causing incident in the previous year. Content analysis identified themes around equestrians’ decisions not to use roads. Our results show that most equestrians (84%) use roads at least once weekly, and in the previous year, 67.7% had a near-miss and 6.1% an injury-causing incident. Road use differs regionally, with exercise type and off-road route availability. Road-using equestrians covered greater daily distances and were younger. However, younger equestrians were at higher risk of near-misses. Respondents’ decisions not to use roads were based on individualised risk assessments arising from: the road itself, perceptions of other road users, the individual horse and the handler’s own emotional management. Roads were perceived as extremely dangerous places with potentially high conflict risk. Injury-causing incidents were associated with increasing road-use anxiety or ceasing to use roads, the proximity of off-road routes, having a near-miss and type of road use. Targeted road-safety campaigns and improved off-road access would create safer equestrian spaces.


Author(s):  
Mirjam Lanzer ◽  
Martin Baumann

So far, research on pedestrians’ gaze behavior while crossing roads has mainly focused on individual pedestrians rather than groups. However, pedestrians often travel in groups especially in downtown areas. This observational study investigated how group characteristics (group size and movement of the group), situational factors (presence of traffic), and demographic variables (age and gender) influence pedestrians’ gaze behavior towards traffic during road crossing. A total of N = 197 pedestrians were observed of whom n = 24 traveled alone, n = 128 traveled in groups of two or three, and n = 45 traveled in groups of four or more. Results indicated that with increasing group size, the odds to observe traffic decreased. Diffusion of responsibility among group members might explain this effect. Finally, pedestrians’ group characteristics should be considered when developing automated vehicles that interact with vulnerable road users.


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