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EXTERNAL-TO-VEHICLE DRIVER DISTRACTION
CHAPTER SIX EXTERNAL TO VEHICLE DRIVER DISTRACTION
6.1 As discussed in section 2.5.2 above, there are individual differences in attentional abilities, and these are also probably affected by factors like alcohol consumption and fatigue. However, how these relate to External-to-vehicle distraction is unclear. Fortunately, the AAA study has detailed information on a number of other variables that help provide information on this specific situation.
AGE AND EXTERNAL TO VEHICLE DRIVER DISTRACTION
6.2 Table 6.1 shows the 'raw figures' and percentages for the relationship between age and external-to-vehicle distraction.
Table 6.1
| <20 | 20-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ |
External-to vehicle driver distraction | 27 %
(5.9) | 29%
(4.3) | 27.5%
(2.1) | 33.3%
(9.2) | 42.8%
(13.5) |
Adjusting radio/cassette/CD | 28.9 (12.1) | 7.9 (3.3) | 7.3 (3.3) | 0.6 (0.4) | 0.2 (0.2) |
Other Occupant | 10.7 (2) | 17.8 (4.7) | 9.8 (2.4) | 1.5 (1) | 2.6 (1) |
Moving Object in Vehicle | 5 (4.4) | 2.4 (0.9) | 6.5 (4.1) | 3.6 (2.1) | .1 (.1) |
Other Device/Object | 1.3 (0.6 ) | 2.7 (0.9) | 4.2 (1.6) | 4.4 (3.2) | 1.4 (1) |
Vehicle/Climate Controls | 3.1 (1.5) | 2.1 (0.5) | 3.3 (1.2) | 3.4 (2) | 1.8 (1.7) |
Eating, Drinking | 1.1 (0.5) | 1.4 (0.6) | 1.1 (0.4) | 7.9 (2.1) | 0.5 (0.6) |
Using, Dialling on Mobile | 0.1 (0.1) | 1.1 (0.3) | 3.3 (1.2) | 0.1 (0.1) | 2.3 (2.1) |
Smoking Related | 0.9 (0.4) | 1.1 (0.3) | 1 (0.5) | 0.3 (0.3) | 0 |
Other Distraction | 19.4 (4.2) | 12.4 (2.9) | 25.7 (3.1) | 34.5 (6) | 45 (11.7) |
Unknown | 2.5 (.6) | 12.4 (2.9) | 10.5 (3.8) | 10.3 (6) | 3.2 (1.5) |
TOTAL | 23 | 26.8 | 34 | 9.2 | 7.1 |
6.3 The number in brackets indicates the standard error. The percentages indicate percentages of the totals (i.e. external-to-vehicle distraction as a percentage of all distractions). It is clear that drivers state that they are more prone to external-to-vehicle distraction as they get older. This should be compared with, for example, potential to be distracted by the radio/cassette/CD which declines from 21.1% to 0.2% in the youngest to oldest age group (Stutts et al, 2001: 16).
6.4 In terms of gender, females were slightly more likely to be distracted by external factors than males (30.5% (2.7)) as opposed to (28.9% (3.7)).
6.5 Another study studied age and its impact on distraction in particular (Lam, 2002). Data from New South Wales Police was analysed using an established accident cause analysis methodology and the following data produced relating to deaths and injuries.
Table 6.2
Age | Internal to Vehicle Distraction | External to Vehicle Distraction |
| Number | % | Number | % |
16-19 | 246 | 3.43% | 213 | 2.97% |
20-24 | 197 | 2.01% | 222 | 2.77% |
25-29 | 144 | 1.86% | 181 | 2.34% |
30-39 | 221 | 1.85% | 233 | 1.92% |
40-49 | 88 | 0.95% | 163 | 1.76% |
50-69 | 84 | 0.92% | 179 | 1.96% |
70+ | 90 | 1.44% | 139 | 2.22% |
Distraction-related death and injuries 1996-2000. Percentages indicate percentages of total deaths and injuries (Lam, 2002: 415).
6.6 It can be seen that external-to-vehicle distraction are consistently higher than internal-to-vehicle distraction and that the percentage lowers towards middle age, and then increases as the driver becomes older.
ROAD TYPE AND EXTERNAL TO VEHICLE DRIVER DISTRACTION
6.7 This table (6.3) seems to indicate that external-to-vehicle distraction is particularly prevalent at intersections, and, to a lesser extent, >2 lane roads (motorways and highway). This is consistent with the laboratory evidence quoted earlier, in which distraction due to 'clutter' (particularly at intersections/junctions) will be particularly prevalent, and also that distraction may well be associated with (featureless) motorways as well (Note: figures in brackets indicate standard errors).
Table 6.3
Driver Distraction | >2 lanes | Speed limit/45 mph | Non-level grade | Intersection/junction |
External-to-vehicle driver distraction | 34.3% (3.2) | 24.3% (6.2) | 32% (4.2) | 51.8% (4) |
Adjusting radio/cassette/CD | 24.7 (12.5) | 18.8 (2.8) | 49.1 (16.9) | 30.6 (13.1) |
Other Occupant | 49.1 (8.3) | 23.3 (4.4) | 37.5 (14.4) | 61.7 (8.5) |
Moving Object in Vehicle | 18.5 (12.2) | 9.7 (5.8) | 67.8 (14) | 50.8 (10.9) |
Other Device/Object | 41 (12.3) | 13.7 (7) | 52.9 (16.7) | 43.9 (10.8) |
Vehicle/Climate Controls | 37.1 (12.7) | 12.8 (6.6) | 26.4 (8.7) | 46.8 (14) |
Eating, Drinking | 24.1 (6.6) | 33 (8) | 29.6 (11.3) | 27.4 (5.8) |
Using, Dialling on Mobile | 42.3 (16.4) | 8.9 (7) | 19.6 (8.8) | 56.5 (1.8) |
Smoking Related | 39.6 (18.8) | 17.1 (10) | 36 (16.8) | 36.3 (7) |
Other Distraction | 33.8 (6.8) | 20 (3.1) | 35.5 (6.4) | 49.4 (6.3) |
Unknown | 66.9 (3.1) | 14.8 (3.2) | 21.8 (9.8) | 68.8 (5.3) |
Overall | 37.1 | 20.2 | 36.4 | 50.4 |
WEATHER AND EXTERNAL TO VEHICLE DRIVER DISTRACTION
6.8 Table 6.4 shows data pertaining to weather conditions and external-to-vehicle distraction. There seem to be no specific events or correlations in this table that are of interest (again, figures in brackets indicate standard errors).
Table 6.4
Contributing Factor | Non-daylight | Adverse weather | Non-passenger car | >1 occupant |
External-to vehicle distraction | 29.9% (3.5) | 16.2% (4.9) | 23.7% (2.2) | 27.5% (3.1) |
Adjusting radio/cassette/CD | 63.7 (3.5) | 46 (14.3) | 21.7 (5.9) | 63.6 (20.8) |
Other Occupant | 38.9 (9.8) | 16.4 (3.3) | 24.6 (10.3) | 99.8 (.2) |
Moving Object in Vehicle | 40.4 (5.6) | 4 (2.6) | 20.2 (10) | 5.6 (3.2) |
Other Device/Object | 26.4 (9.4) | 2.2 (1) | 26.2 (10.2) | 19.1 (11) |
Vehicle/Climate Controls | 40.6 (11.6) | 5.6 (5.6) | 23 (5.1) | 51.7 (14.3) |
Eating, Drinking | 31.2 (9.2) | 11.9 (6.5) | 46.4 (8.2) | 11.3 (4.1) |
Using, Dialling on Mobile | 53 (12.5) | 11.1 (7.9) | 45.9 (17.4) | 14 (8.4) |
Smoking Related | 88.2 (5.3) | .5 (.5) | 37.9 (13.5) | 27.2 (8.6) |
Other Distraction | 25.4 (4) | 6.7 (2.5) | 33.6 (4.6) | 25.3 (4.6) |
Unknown | 19.3 (3.7) | 14.1 (7) | 37.7 (12.1) | 37.1 (11.1) |
Overall | 34.2 | 15.5 | 28 | 38.7 |
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