Distracted driving is a behaviour dangerous to drivers, passengers, and non-occupants alike. Distraction is a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention from the driving task to focus on some other activity instead. This book examines data gathered on specific distracting activities to support the development of safety countermeasures and to conduct improved data analysis.

Distracted driving is a behavior dangerous to drivers, passengers, and non-occupants alike. Distraction is a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention from the driving task to focus on some other activity instead. Of those people killed in distraction-affected crashes, 408 occurred in crashes in which at least one of the drivers was using a cell phone (13% of fatalities in distraction-affected crashes) at the time of the crash. Use of a cell phone includes talking/listening to a cell phone, dialing/texting a cell phone, or other cell-phone-related activities. In keeping with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's distraction plan (Overview of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Driver Distraction Program, April 2010, DOT HS 811 299), the agency continues to refine collection of information about the role of distracted driving in police-reported crashes. This book examines data gathered on specific distracting activities to support the development of safety countermeasures and to conduct improved data analysis.

Cell phones, while providing an easy means communication, have been cited as the cause of thousands of deadly driving accidents throughout the United States. Through objective overviews, primary sources, and full-color illustrations, this title examines The Distractions of Driving, The Science of Distraction, Cell Phones and the Law, Have Laws Reduced Cell Phone Distraction? Other Efforts to Reduce Cell Phone Use by Drivers.

Investigates the emerging problem of driver distraction while using cell phones and the available and proposed solutions.

Even though many jurisdictions with cell phone bans only restrict the use of hand- held cell phones, a consistent message in the literature is that hands-free cell phone use when driving is no safer than hand-held cell phone use [6,7,9,11]. [...] The diversion of attention is not attributable to a medical condition, alcohol/drug use and/or fatigue [1] Driver distraction, in particular the use of cell phones while driving, is becoming an issue of concern in Alberta. [...] Hand-Held versus Hands-Free Cell Phones Although many jurisdictions with cell phone bans only restrict the use of hand-held cell phones, a consistent message in the Hands-free literature is that hands-free cell phone use when driving is no phones are no safer than hand-held cell phone use [6,7,9,11]. [...] Talking on a cell phone requires multiple consecutive shifts between the phone and the road, increasing the time that drivers are effectively unfocused on the task of driving. [...] Novice versus Experienced Drivers In 2004, the University of Calgary (U of C) and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) prepared a meta-analysis on cell phone use while driving for the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) [11].

According to a Triple-A poll, 94 percent of teen drivers understand the dangers of texting while driving. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that in 2014, 3,179 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers. This important volume focuses on the issue of distracted driving. The book describes exactly what distracted driving is and how to prevent it. It provides several anecdotes describing various distracted driving behavior.

Addiction to cell phones has made distracted driving a national epidemic. State patrol officers who deal with crashes every day see the phone as the new "open bottle" in the car that makes drivers impaired and dangerous. Add phones and other devices to the many types of distraction we already face--from tuning the radio to drinking coffee behind the wheel--and we have a crisis. But this crisis can be totally avoided if drivers make the right choice, the safe choice. One Split Second can help drivers make that best choice. This book is a one-of-a-kind resource that brings together real-life stories, facts and figures, fascinating research about our behavior behind the wheel, and expert perspectives on how we can end the distraction epidemic. It is a book no driver can live without.