hedlund

Cell Phones: The Next Big Issue? : 

Cell Phones: The Next Big Issue? Jim Hedlund Highway Safety North Lifesavers 2006 Austin, TX April 9, 2006

Cell phones : 

Cell phones Background and context Crash risk Laws Technology Observations and conclusions For more information

Cell phones: 

Cell phones 206 million cell phone users (CTIA, 4-06) 70% of US population

Cell phones: 

Cell phones 206 million cell phone users (CTIA, 4-06) 70% of US population Many drivers use cell phones 26% in NHTSA survey (2002) 50-75% in other estimates (Sundeen, 2005) 6% at any moment (NOPUS, 12-05) Cell phones an obvious distraction

Distracted driving : 

Distracted driving Critical factor in crashes NHTSA: at least 25-30% VTTI: 65-80% Many potential distractions Passengers, children Radio, CD, phone Eating and drinking Navigation, computers, displays Distractions outside the vehicle

Lifestyles and distracted driving : 

Lifestyles and distracted driving More time in car (300 hours each year /driver) Better technology – anything you do at home or in your office can be done in your car Busy lifestyles Culture of connectedness – always in touch

NHTSA distraction survey 2002: 

NHTSA distraction survey 2002 81% talked to passengers 66% radio, CD, tapes 49% eating and drinking 26% cell phone calls 24% dealing with children 12% reading map or directions

Distractions in Crashes : 

Distractions in Crashes

Public opinion on cell phones : 

Public opinion on cell phones 48% outgoing calls dangerous 44% receiving calls dangerous 71% prohibit hand-held 57% prohibit all cell phone use 61% higher fines for violations using phone “Do as I say, not as I do.” Gallup survey 3-03

Crash risk : 

Crash risk Risk of injury crash or property-damage crash 4 times higher when using cell phones Risk similar for hand-held and hands-free McCartt, Hellinga, and Braitman 2005

Cell phone laws : 

Cell phone laws 3 states and DC prohibit hand-held 10 states and DC prohibit cell phone use by young drivers (10 – all; 1 – hand-held) 11 states prohibit use by school bus drivers Some communities prohibit hand-held 9 states prohibit communities from enacting cell phone laws GHSA

Cell phone laws in 2005: 

Cell phone laws in 2005 ALL states have considered cell phone laws since 2000 39 states considered laws in 2005 Enacted in 10, failed in 29 2005 state laws considered: 5 total ban 25 hand-held ban 20 young drivers 7 school bus drivers NCSL

Effects of cell phone laws : 

Effects of cell phone laws Enforcement limited Compliance limited Effects on safety uncertain McCartt, Hellinga, and Braitman 2005

Technology and driving: 

Technology and driving Portable electronic devices “previously known as a cell phone” Multi-functional: voice, email, pictures, GPS Portable – go everywhere, used everywhere Changing rapidly; replaced every 18-24 months Produced by diverse consumer electronics manufacturers, not in traditional traffic safety regulatory structure

Technology and driving: 

Technology and driving In-vehicle devices Displays, route finding Adaptive cruise control Lane departure and crash warning systems Speed monitoring ITS communications

Technology effects ?: 

Technology effects ? Distraction ? Crash avoidance and injury mitigation ? Behavioral adaptation ?

Observations and conclusions : 

Observations and conclusions Distracted driving is critical crash cause Distractions come with modern lifestyle and won’t go away Cell phones are just one distraction

Observations and conclusions : 

Observations and conclusions Education and communications Need to keep restating the obvious

Observations and conclusions : 

Observations and conclusions Cell phone laws may not help much Hands-free no better than hand-held Enforcement unpopular Main value may be to send a message Possible value for young drivers To be effective Public support Active well-publicized enforcement

Observations and conclusions : 

Observations and conclusions Vehicle technology may help Potential benefits for all drivers Different manufacturing and regulatory environment Beware of behavioral adaptation – how do we use the extra safety?

For more information : 

For more information GHSA (2005), Cell Phone Restrictions – State and Local Jurisdictions www.statehighwaysafety.org Hedlund, Simpson and Mayhew (2006), International Conference on Distracted Driving: Summary of Proceedings and Recommendations TIRF www.trafficinjuryresearch.com Hedlund (2006), Countermeasures That Work: A Guide for State Highway Safety Offices. DOT HS 809 980 www.nhtsa.dot.gov

For more information : 

For more information McCartt, Hellinga, and Braitman (2005), Cell Phones and Driving: Review of Research. IIHS www.iihs.org NCHRP (2006 – to appear), A Guide for Addressing Collisions Involving Distracted or Fatigued Drivers www.safety.transportation.org/guides.aspx Royal (2003) National Survey of Distracted and Drowsy Driving 2002. Vol. I: Findings DOT HS 809 566 www.nhtsa.dot.gov

For more information : 

For more information Sundeen (2005), Cell Phones and Highway Safety: 2005 State Legislative Update. NCSL www.ncsl.org Jim Hedlund jhedlund@sprynet.com

Title Arial 40 : 

Title Arial 40

For more information : 

For more information Jim Hedlund jhedlund@sprynet.com