Distracted Driving Definition
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from driving. Common driving distractions include: talking, texting or looking at your phone, eating or drinking, talking to passengers in your car, personal grooming, fiddling with the stereo, and entertainment or navigation systems.
The 3 Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted Driving shows up in three distinct ways.
- Visual Distraction: The driver is looking at something other than the road ahead.
- Manual Distraction: The driver is doing something like handling a cell phone, texting, or interacting with the entertainment counsel (also implies driver is visually distracted).
- Cognitive Distraction: The driver is focused on something other than driving and many contextual insights about the driving situation are missed
All three of these dimensions of distraction will contribute to a lessened ability to respond safely to any driving situation.
What Type of Distracted Driving is Cell Phone Use?
Cell phone distraction often involves all 3 types of distraction. Users may need to be looking at their phones while they interact with them. Users may be physically typing, navigating, or texting when complete attention should be focused on driving their vehicle. Users may be thinking about their phone when they should be totally focused on driving, including processing all of the various contextual elements of driving (What are the cars around me doing? What are the signs saying? Could that dog run out in front of me?, etc.)
Examples of Distracted Driving
- Talking on the phone
- Texting and other phone manipulation
- Talking with another passenger
- Moving objects/animals in the vehicle
- Adjusting audio and/or climate controls
- Manipulating car components and controls
- Reaching for an object or device
- “Rubbernecking” and other outside distractions
- Personal grooming
Consequences of Distracted Driving
When a driver is distracted it’s the equivalent of flying blind. Significant ground is being covered with no awareness of driving situations that require focused attention. An oft-quoted example reminds us that being distracted (like texting) may involve 5 seconds of distraction. At 60 mph, a texting driver would cover roughly the length of a football field while being largely unaware of any risk that may present itself during that time. Distraction obviously raises the risk of an accident significantly.
What is Fleet Distracted Driving?
Fleet distracted driving is a measure of how much distraction exists with drivers operating vehicles for company purposes. While the basic concepts are the same for fleet drivers as for drivers of personal vehicles, fleets are much more likely to face legal consequences for distraction. For example, plaintiff attorneys will likely seek proof of cell phone use during the accident as well as what is the company’s policy and enforcement of that policy towards cell phone use.
What is a Company Distracted Driving Policy?
All fleets should have a clear policy regarding safe driving expectations which all drivers should acknowledge and understand. This is especially true when it comes to cell phone usage. It should be clear to the fleet driver that any diversion of attention to driving is not permitted.
Types of Distracted Driving Prevention
Approaches used by fleets to mitigate risk associated with distracted driving include the following:
- Emphasizing confirmation of driver’s safety record (DMV/MVR), providing a level of training, and presenting a clear driver policy.
- Identifying the presence of cell phone distraction through a video solution that may provide real-time audio feedback to the driver while the distraction is happening.
- Implementing a phone compliance solution that blocks specific phone functionality while operating a company vehicle. Ex: Blocking the ability to text or to make phone calls without a hands free connection.
How Does LifeSaver Mobile Help Prevent Distracted Driving?
LifeSaver Mobile provides an app-based solution for businesses that is installed on the driver’s phone. The app recognizes when the vehicle is in motion and restricts the distracting elements of phone usage. Whenever possible, the emphasis should be on restricting the capability of even using the phone in an unsafe fashion.
