Distracted Driving Gail Weinholzer Director of Public Affairs AAA Minnesota/Iowa.

Distracted Driving

Gail Weinholzer

Director of Public Affairs

AAA Minnesota/Iowa

ACG Proprietary and Confidential2

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What

Who

Why

Where

When

How

An Overview of Distracted Driving


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Visual – takes your eyes off the road

Cognitive – takes your mind off the road

Manual – takes your hands off the wheel

Auditory – takes your focus away from driving

What is distracted driving?


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What effect does distracted driving have on crashes?

According to the Minnesota DPS between 2006-08: Nearly 60,000 crashes 216 fatalities 1,037 A-injuries

According to NHTSA in 2008: Nearly 6,000 people were killed nationwide More than 500,000 injured


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The worst offenders with technology are the youngest and least-experienced drivers: men and women under 20 years of age. (NHTSA)

But, distraction is not just a teenagers’ issue Older adults are gaining access/comfort with technology

• Ex. 90% of all drivers own a cell phone Parents, as role models, are teaching children to drive in a

distracted manner

And, its not just a technology issue Eating, drinking, grooming, etc

Who is driving distracted?


The AutoClub GroupWhy is distracted driving dangerous?

Perception- whether and when we notice something

Judgment- deciding how we should react

Action- reacting

Individually each is dangerous

Collectively they can be deadly


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Why is distracted driving becoming more prominent?

Our perceived need to be more connected

Availability/affordability of technology

Busier lifestyles lead to multitasking

Use of all types of technology is increasing in vehicles (Ford and Audi while the rest are sure to follow)


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Where and when does distracted driving most prominently occur?

According to the Minnesota DPS:

45% of distracted driving crashes occur on CSAH and Minnesota trunk highways

50% of distracted driving crashes occur between 12pm-6pm


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How much more dangerous is being distracted?

Using a cell phone delay’s a driver’s reaction time as much as a .08 B.A.C. (University of Utah)

Talking on a cell phone reduces brain activity while driving by 37% (Carnegie Mellon)

Cell phone use quadruples crash likelihood (National Safety Council)

Hands-free is not significantly safer than handheld (IIHS and NSC)


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How do drivers feel about distracted driving?

35% of drivers feel less safe today than they did five years ago and distracted driving was the most common reason cited.

Ranks second (83%) only to impaired drivers (88%) as the leading concern of driver behaviors

Do as I say, not as I do 67 % of all drivers admit to talking on a cell phone

21 % of all drivers admit to texting


The AutoClub GroupHow should we deal with distracted driving?

Education

Personally- all drivers should be educated on the dangers of distracted driving via earned and paid media, brochures, drivers ed. classes, driver improvement classes, etc

Professionally- employers should establish distracted driving policies as they apply to company time, vehicles and technology (MNSC policies)



Enforcement

Statute prohibits cell phone use by provisional teen drivers and bus drivers

Statute prohibits text messaging by all drivers

Approximately 300 convictions/citations were issued in 2009 for text messaging


The AutoClub GroupLocal News 3/20/2010

Cops: Tot killed as driver gets cell phone

Authorities have dropped an inattentive driving citation so they can consider more serious charges over the crash that killed a 14-month-old in Columbia Heights.

Source: Star Tribune



Roadway Engineering Center line and shoulder rumble strips Median cable barriers

Vehicle Engineering Lane departure warning systems Collision mitigation braking MyKey™ technology- speed, audio



Legislation

Item by item• Cell phones- hand held versus hands free• Reactive- chasing bad behavior

Comprehensive- yet nonspecific• A few states have enacted them- Utah, Maine,

Vermont, Connecticut• Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, etc


The AutoClub GroupMaine’s Comprehensive DD Law

§2118. Failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Operation of a motor vehicle while distracted" means the operation of a motor vehicle by a person who, while operating the vehicle, is engaged in an activity:

(1) That is not necessary to the operation of the vehicle; and

(2) That actually impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of the person to safely operate the vehicle.


The AutoClub GroupHow can I manage distractions?

Recognize that driving requires your full attention

If you have a passenger, ask them to assist as needed

Take a break to eat, drink, make calls, etc.

Allow plenty of time for breaks during your trip

Get plenty of rest- its harder to pay attention when you’re tired


The AutoClub GroupAdditional Resources

Web sites of interest: www.aaapublicaffairs.com

www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org

www.distraction.gov

www.nhtsa.gov

www.iihs.org


The AutoClub GroupGood Advice!

Unfailing Antidotes to Motor Accidents Two rules, both of them simple and easy to remember are all

that any motorist needs to know and observe to obtain complete immunity from accidents. They are:

1- KEEP YOUR MIND ON THE OPERATION OF YOUR CAR WHILE IT IS IN MOTION.

2- KEEP YOUR MACHINE UNDER EASY CONTROL AT ALL TIMES.

No other rules are necessary, and the driver who lives up to these two simple admonitions conscientiously will carry with him at all times the very best accident insurance that there is in the world.


The AutoClub GroupGood Advice is Timeless!

Article Published

June 1921 by the Pioneer Press


The AutoClub GroupThank you!

Contact information: Gail Weinholzer

• [email protected]

• 952-707-4985 office number

Distracted Driving Gail Weinholzer Director of Public Affairs AAA Minnesota/Iowa.

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