Distracted Driving: Worse Before It Gets Better

[cachagua]

We all know we're not supposed to use our phones while we're driving, but according to this Washington Post article about an AAA study, (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/new-cars-have-more-distracting-technology-on-board-than-ever-before/2017/10/04/8dc1e91e-a880-11e7-b3aa-c0e2e1d41e38_story.html?utm_term=.89ae7305fa8d) cars themselves present at least as much of a distraction, and are pretty much unregulated. Here's an excerpt:

While most states have passed laws against texting behind the wheel, and some have required hands-free cellphone use, [the report's author] said many manufacturers allow operation of navigation centers and infotainment options while a car is moving.

“What we’re seeing is that manufacturers have enabled technology that’s very demanding and not consistent with the NHTSA guidelines,” he said. “In old cars it took two seconds to change the radio. Now it may take 24 seconds. Many times it’s multiple screens or entries to get that infotainment system to do what you want.”

Some vehicles allow Internet searches or interaction with social media. The worst among the demanding optional technology is navigational equipment.

“Navigating is a task that has a high level of demand,” [the author] said. “It takes an average of 40 seconds of high-level visual and cognitive demand” to handle tasks like entering an address.”

My local paper (Seattle Times) also wrote up the AAA study. They noted that it rates cars in four categories, from least to most potential for driver distraction. The number of cars in the least-distracting category? Count 'em, zero.

I can't decide what's more appropriate here, disbelief or despair.

[ripvanrando]

Around 900 bicyclists were mowed down and killed by motorists in 2015......more than three times those killed by rifles that year.

I know or know of five riders in the past year killed by cars/trucks while riding.

Very scary. I always supposed it was the cell phone or pot smoking causing the distractions while driving. So, it is the car itself? We should ban them.

[dustyrider]

Don't worry. We'll innovate our way out this conundrum of not being able to think about anyone besides ourselves! :confused:

[bigbill]

Texas just passed the no texting law but I don't see any changes in behavior. Today I was riding on the shoulder of a state highway and saw a truck cross the centerline and could see the driver looking down at a phone. Another truck heading in the opposite direction was blowing his horn and moving over, I was checking out the ditch and looking for a good place to land when the distracted driver swerved back over. It would have been a head-on collision between two big trucks.

[OtayBW]

I had a Washington County (MD) sheriff's deputy cross the center line almost completely, heading directly for me a ~month ago. Took him more than a few moments to realize and correct. Couldn't freaking believe it...

[donevwil]

Don't worry. We'll innovate our way out this conundrum of not being able to think about anyone besides ourselves! :confused:

Optimistic sarcasm, or is it sarcastic optimism? Either way I like it.



The truth is "we" aren't going to be regulated out of this s'hole. We (people in general, not cyclists specifically) need to do it ourselves, each and every "I'm the only thing that matters" driver, cyclist, human must have a life altering reality check.

If my time bike commuting reveals anything, it's the fact that pretty much every driver is far too distracted, for whatever reason. The sorry fact is that a majority of Paceliners are probably distracted while driving, think nothing of it and then post opinions opposing it.

[BobO]

We all know we're not supposed to use our phones while we're driving, but according to this Washington Post article about an AAA study, (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/new-cars-have-more-distracting-technology-on-board-than-ever-before/2017/10/04/8dc1e91e-a880-11e7-b3aa-c0e2e1d41e38_story.html?utm_term=.89ae7305fa8d) cars themselves present at least as much of a distraction, and are pretty much unregulated. Here's an excerpt:



My local paper (Seattle Times) also wrote up the AAA study. They noted that it rates cars in four categories, from least to most potential for driver distraction. The number of cars in the least-distracting category? Count 'em, zero.

I can't decide what's more appropriate here, disbelief or despair.

I have noted an improvement in the past two years in the terms of being able to drive the cars without taking ones eyes off the road. In my experience, 2015 was the high point for reliance on non-tactile vehicle controls. Since that point most manufacturers have begun re-introducing tactile controls. It is true that there are more potential distractions than there were 25 years ago, but at least manufacturers are recognizing the issue to a certain extent. Unfortunately there are some rather extreme exceptions that require the driver to spend too much time looking at a touch screen for extended periods of time.

There is still the difficulty that people don't seem to want to prioritize devices over driving,... and cops are the absolute worst time and again.

[dustyrider]

Optimistic sarcasm, or is it sarcastic optimism? Either way I like it.


Sadly it’s more like realistic pessimism. Case (http://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/545562900/cars-are-starting-to-remind-us-not-to-leave-baby-in-the-back-seat) in point. Sarcasm is completely wasted on the internet...

[Peter P.]

The sorry fact is that a majority of Paceliners are probably distracted while driving, think nothing of it and then post opinions opposing it.

What prompts you to draw this conclusion?

As an aside, I'm more and more inclined to think cyclists are no better than car drivers considering our bike computers, power meters, and yes; cellphone usage while we ride. For sure, there are differences between a cyclist hitting someone or crashing themselves and usually the damage is less, but the behavior is just as unacceptable.

[donevwil]

.... Sarcasm is completely wasted on the internet...

Absolutely and regrettably agree.


What prompts you to draw this conclusion?

I know a few local Paceliners "unbenounced to them (I think)" and have crossed paths with their car driving selves on multiple occasions, too often with them on phone (DISTRACTED). I'll take one wild a$$ guess that it's not a localized issue.

[bigbill]

Drivers aren't the only ones. Has anyone done a large group ride like a century or grand fondo? Headphones on about half the riders and many people playing their music through their phone speakers, you know, for safety. We live in a self centered world.

My vehicle has Sync so I can answer my phone with a button on the steering wheel. I take my phone with me when I ride but it goes in a ziplock bag in my jersey pocket. I know I'm distracted at times but I try to be mindful. It only takes a few seconds of distraction to ruin lives.

[93KgBike]

People is people, no matter what they be doing.

[ORMojo]

Distracted, or inattentive, driving is definitely becoming a more significant problem. On average each day in the United States, more than 8 people are killed and 1,161 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Yearly that adds up to 420,000 injuries and 3,100 deaths from people texting, reading emails, or engaging in other distracted behaviors while driving. In 2014, there were more than 4,000 crashes in Oregon attributed to distraction. Nationally, it is estimated that 1 in every 10 traffic fatality, and nearly 1 in every 5 injury, is related to distracted driving.

And separately, of course, alcohol continues to be a major contributor to crashes.

Oregon has initiated the Drive Healthy (https://www.drivehealthy.org/) campaign, calling distracted driving an epidemic, primarily due to our "addiction" to our electronic devices. In many ways aimed at parents and younger drivers, "Drive Healthy" aims to create that attitude in the same way as "eating healthy" or "exercising to be healthy" and other examples that people already know in their daily lives. The campaign is also using gamification - there is an app where you can compete as individuals/teams for the best Drive Healthy score, based on driving time with your phone locked, and aim to be the safest driver, or team, in Oregon.

I am again sickened this morning by news of a crash yesterday about an hour north of me that killed all five occupants of one vehicle - a 25-year-old mother, and her 8-, 6-, 4-, and 2-year-old children.

The driver of the other vehicle, that crossed the centerline and hit head-on, was a 27-year-old that suffered minor injuries . . . and has been charged with manslaughter I (5 counts), felony driving while under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, misdemeanor driving while suspended and outstanding unrelated warrants.

This horrific crash notwithstanding, the inattentive driving problem has grown faster than most anyone anticipated. I suspect both because the number of inattentive (distracted) drivers is far higher that those under the influence, and because enforcement/education/awareness on the inattentive problem lags. This is just my belief, but I don't think we are catching and citing as large a proportion of the distracted drivers as we are the drunk drivers. At least, in one twisted respect, that is my hope - because I sure see a lot of distracted drivers every single day, and I hope that there are not as many drunk drivers on the road.

Also, information indicates that the distracted/inattentive drivers tend to be a younger demographic than the drunk drivers, perhaps portending a growing problem in the years to come.

Here are graphics showing the difference in our metropolitan area. The first shows all motor vehicle crashes 2007-2015 where drugs were involved.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4514/37550680846_3c82d008f6_b.jpg

Now, on to the same view for where alcohol was involved. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, a significant number more than drug involvement.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4501/37550683376_8305755b3d_b.jpg

Here are 2007's alcohol incidents, about 85.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4501/37550684186_8d9766e44c_b.jpg

And 2015's alcohol incidents, about 140, or about 1.65 times as many in 2007. An unfortunately huge increase.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4503/37550682396_f295a3b995_b.jpg

And now, all motor vehicle crashes 2007-2015 where "Inattention" was cited as the primary cause. Surprisingly (perhaps) rivaling the alcohol incidences, with, perhaps, one saving grace - far fewer fatalities (so far), shown as the red dots.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4508/37550690086_d14cd958ee_b.jpg

Here are 2007's inattention incidents, about 70.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4473/37550680416_4c56e34db1_b.jpg

And 2015's inattention incidents, about 90, or about 1.29 times as many in 2007.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4459/37550685436_8bc20655ff_b.jpg

(Granted, all of these only depicts crashes - not all of the other DUII or distracted driving citations issued where no crash was involved - but it is the crashes resulting in injuries or death that are of most concern.)

[marciero]

I'm struck by how many of the accidents due to inattention seem to lay out along straight main thoroughfares.

[shovelhd]

My vehicle has Sync so I can answer my phone with a button on the steering wheel.

Phone integrated systems like yours, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a step in the right direction. I have AA in my GTI and I can do just about everything I should be able to do with a single button push and voice command.

Get directions with Waze
Play music
Ask Google a question
Text someone
Read my latest text messages
Call anyone in my Contacts

It certainly minimizes the distractions, but it's still a distraction. So is having a non-trivial conversation with a passenger. And so it goes.

[ORMojo]

I'm struck by how many of the accidents due to inattention seem to lay out along straight main thoroughfares.

Pure conjecture on my part, but perhaps people feel "safer" glancing at their phone when they are on a slower-speed, straighter, local, familiar road . . . and then they drift, and the lane departure results in a crash.

Your observation also seems, at a glance, to be consistent County-wide (although my home County is more than twice the size of Delaware, making it more difficult to see the details on a County-wide view).

Start with this - All 2007-15 motor vehicle crashes county-wide.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4506/37343466780_98835f9aec_b.jpg

Now the 2007-15 Inattention crashes county-wide. Definitely concentrated, even outside the metropolitan area, on the main corridors.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4501/23749354248_cb657e18a4_b.jpg

And the same view of the Alcohol crashes. A bit more scattered throughout the rural area.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4510/37343465100_7518cbe3ba_b.jpg

[Peter P.]

... So is having a non-trivial conversation with a passenger. And so it goes.

But there's a significant difference in how the brain processes a conversation with someone in your presence vs. someone on a phone call. In the latter, parts of the brain are occupied in the conversation that are needed for driving safely.

I encourage everyone read the book, A Deadly Wandering (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Deadly_Wandering), by Matt Richtel.

Basically, a 19 year old hits and kills 2 people in another car, while texting. The book alternates between Reggie Shaw's case and the scientific aspects of how our brains function when using cellphones and why we can't use them and drive safely simultaneously, regardless of what technology we use.

You're only kidding yourselves.