Driving Behavior That Limits Concentration: A Nationwide Survey in Greece

Abstract

Human behavior is implicated in most road accidents. The current study examined drivers’ behavior that interferes with decision making and reaction time to an incidence. Adults (≥17 years-old) participated in a questionnaire-based survey for driver’s behavior. Dataset was weighed according to sex, age and education based on the 2011 census. Differences between groups were assessed with Chi-squared tests while logistic regression models were used to identify drivers’ characteristics for specific behaviors. A total 1601 adults participated in the survey—48% males and 52% females. Texting, Global Positioning System (GPS) setting and smoking were observed more by professional drivers and drivers of an urban area, while smoking was also dependent on social class. Drink driving was observed more by males (20% vs. 5% females), while after adjusting for age, the odds of drink driving in males were 5 times higher than females (p < 0.001). A different effect of age depending on the driver’s sex and vice versa was observed regarding phone calls. Drivers’ behavior with distractive potential differed by age, sex, social class and area of residence. Male drivers were more likely to perform drink driving, while professional drivers were more likely to use cell phone for calls and texting, set the GPS and smoke while driving.

Cigarette Smoking as a Predictor of Male DUI Recidivism

“…Tobacco use might decrease the subjective intoxicating and sedating effects of alcohol, leading to heavier drinking episodes [42]. Finally, tobacco use while driving has been associated with road accidents [46,47]. Independent of the aim of the study, it is interesting to highlight that the prevalence of tobacco use disorder in our samples (cases and the comparison group) was almost three times that observed in the overall Italian population [48].…”

Understanding Traffic Accidents among Young Drivers in Qatar

“…The following are some of the risk factors identified by the WHO related to human errors: (1) speeding–every 1% increase in the mean speed increases fatal crash risk probability by 4%, (2) seatbelt usage–usage will reduce fatality by 45–50% for front-seat occupants, (3) driving under the influence of psychotropic substances–can increase risk by about five times, and (4) distracted driving–usage of mobile phones can increase the risk of an accident by 4 folds. Many studies have been published supporting the claim by the WHO, indicating that risky driving behaviors are one of the leading causes of road accidents [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Driving impairment due to psychoactive substances and attention deficit disorder: A pilot study

“…Additionally, tobacco use may reduce the subjective effects of alcohol, potentially leading to increased alcohol consumption [ 38 ]. In this regard, other scholars [ 39 , 40 ] have also linked smoking while driving to an increased risk of road crashes. This behavior, although not perceived as distracting by most drivers, is recognized as leading to distractions and, thus, as a risk factor for traffic collisions [ 40 ].…”

“…In this regard, other scholars [ 39 , 40 ] have also linked smoking while driving to an increased risk of road crashes. This behavior, although not perceived as distracting by most drivers, is recognized as leading to distractions and, thus, as a risk factor for traffic collisions [ 40 ]. Previous studies by the authors [ 6 , 33 ] have already shown a significant correlation between smoking and DUI recidivism or excessive alcohol consumption.…”