Texting at the light and other forms of device distraction behind the wheel

Abstract

BackgroundCell phones are a well-known source of distraction for drivers, and owing to the proliferation of text messaging services, web browsers and interactive apps, modern devices provide ever-increasing temptation for drivers to take their eyes off the road. Although it is probably obvious that drivers’ manual engagement of a device while their vehicles are in motion is potentially dangerous, it may not be clear that such engagement when the vehicle is at rest (an activity broadly labeled “texting at the light”) can also impose risks. For one thing, a distracted driver at rest may fail to respond quickly to sudden changes in road conditions, such as an ambulance passing through. In addition, texting at the light may decrease so-called “situational awareness” and lead to driving errors even after the device is put down. To our knowledge, the direct comparison of the rate of device usage by drivers at rest with the rate of device usage by drivers in motion has not been reported.MethodsWe collected information on 2000 passenger vehicles by roadside observation. For the first group of 1000 passenger vehicles stopped at a traffic light, device usage (“texting”, “talking”, “none”), gender of the driver, vehicle type, seatbelt usage and presence of front seat passengers were recorded. For a second set of 1000 vehicles in motion, device usage alone was noted. Statistical significance for differences in rates was assessed with the chi-square test.ResultsWe found that 3 % of drivers in motion were texting and 5 % were talking. Among the stopped drivers, 14.5 % were texting and 6.3 % were talking. In the stopped-vehicle set, gender and vehicle type were not associated with significant differences in device usage, but having a front seat passenger and using seatbelts were.ConclusionsDevice usage is markedly higher among drivers temporarily at rest compared with those in motion, and the presence of a front seat passenger, who may help alleviate boredom or reprimand bad behavior, is associated with lower device usage rates among vehicles stopped at a light. These observations may help identify suitable steps to decrease distracted driving and thereby minimize traffic trauma.

Effects of auditory distraction on voluntary movements: exploring the underlying mechanisms associated with parallel processing

“…For example, if the motor task involves fine motor control of movements and high levels of concentration, even insignificant sensory stimuli can compromise the neural activation of the working muscles (see Bernstein & Bernstein 2015). Fortunately, the attentional system is trainable, and humans have developed psychological techniques that normally involve the control of physiological indices as a means by which to avoid the detrimental effects of task-irrelevant factors on task performance (Bernier et al 2011; Desbordes et al 2012).…”

Adolescent Cellphone Use While Driving: An Overview of the Literature and Promising Future Directions for Prevention

“…A similar study conducted in one intersection in Pennsylvania in 2014 of 2,000 observed drivers, found 3% of drivers in motion were texting or visibly manipulating handheld devices and 5% were engaged in handheld phone calls. Among the stopped drivers, 14.5% were texting and 6.3% were talking (Bernstein & Bernstein, 2015). Further work is necessary to describe the proportion of time individual drivers use their phone while the car is in motion.…”

A Theory-Based Approach to the Development and Evaluation of Public Education Messages Aimed at Social Interactive Technology Use on Smartphones among Young Drivers

“…Consistent with previous research (e.g., Bernstein & Bernstein, 2015), results of Study 1A found that many young drivers reported using their smartphone while stopped at traffic lights. While this situation was not specifically investigated beyond Study 1A, it, too, can result in the loss of situational awareness and a delayed response to a sudden change in road conditions, such as the traffic light turning green (Bernstein & Bernstein, 2015).…”

“…For example, frequent users of mobile phones (many young people could be classified as frequent users) were less likely to perceive the risk of heavy traffic as preventing them from using their mobile phone while driving (K. M. White et al, 2012). A recent observational study reported five times the number of drivers (14.5%) were texting when stopped at a red traffic light compared to drivers in moving vehicles (Bernstein & Bernstein, 2015). While a driver may perceive that using their smartphone at a red light is less risky than in moving traffic, it can result in the loss of situational awareness and a delayed response to a sudden change in road conditions, such as the traffic light turning green (Bernstein & Bernstein, 2015).…”

“…While this situation was not specifically investigated beyond Study 1A, it, too, can result in the loss of situational awareness and a delayed response to a sudden change in road conditions, such as the traffic light turning green (Bernstein & Bernstein, 2015).…”