electronic device distractions

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Electronic Device Distractions

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Electronic Device Distractions. Statistics. About 20% of all crashes involved some type of distraction 5,474 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction, and an estimated 448,000 were injured in 2009 (the most recent, complete year of statistics) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Electronic Device Distractions

Electronic Device

Distractions

Page 2: Electronic Device Distractions

Statistics

About 20% of all crashes involved some type of distraction

5,474 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction, and an estimated 448,000 were injured in 2009 (the most recent, complete year of statistics)

Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted

Statistics gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Page 3: Electronic Device Distractions

Statistics

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves

According to some studies, hands-free cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use

Statistics gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Page 4: Electronic Device Distractions

Statistics

Using a cell phone while driving – whether it’s hand-held or hands-free – delays a driver’s reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%

Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%

Statistics gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Page 5: Electronic Device Distractions

Statistics

Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event

Statistics gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Page 6: Electronic Device Distractions

Overview

It’s easier to become distracted while driving than most operators realize. There are three main types of distraction:

Visual (taking your eyes off of the road) Manual (taking your hands off of the

wheel) Cognitive (taking your mind off of what

you’re doing)

Page 7: Electronic Device Distractions

Benefits and Risks

Millions of “electronic devices” are in use every day, and there has been much concern expressed in the media and among traffic safety experts that the distraction presented by these devices leads to collisions. There are several benefits and risks associated with the use of hand-held or manually manipulated electronic devices.

Page 8: Electronic Device Distractions

Benefits and Risks

Electronic devices enable drivers to: Call for help in emergency situations (for

themselves or on behalf of other motorists) Call for directions or access digital maps

when lost or detoured off route Call to notify others when unable to arrive

at destinations on time (instead of frantically rushing and/or driving too fast for conditions)

Page 9: Electronic Device Distractions

Benefits and Risks

Electronic devices enable drivers to: Report dangerous situations to the

authorities (such as reckless drivers, defective traffic control devices, etc.)

Provide constant or “near constant” contact with their home terminal for improved dispatching, routing and updates

Manage many of their recordkeeping tasks with ease, accuracy and speed

Page 10: Electronic Device Distractions

Benefits and Risks

The advantages of Electronic Devices come with an expense. Their use can be highly distracting to drivers and can lengthen reaction times beyond the point of no return. Additionally, the National Safety Council has issued a statement about the interference of electronic devices on our driving (continued, next slide).

Page 11: Electronic Device Distractions

Benefits and Risks

Here is a small excerpt: “…However, a driver's first responsibility is

the safe operation of the vehicle and that best practice is to not use electronic devices including cell phones while driving.”

“When on the road, drivers shall concentrate on safe and defensive driving and not on making or receiving phone calls, delivery of faxes, using computers, navigation systems, or other distracting influences.”

Page 12: Electronic Device Distractions

Cell Phone/Texting Bans

An increasing number of states are introducing & passing laws to restrict the use of wireless devices by drivers

As of January 2012, 9 states, D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. A chart outlining all state cell phone and text

messaging laws can be found at http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

Page 13: Electronic Device Distractions

Cell Phone/Texting Bans

Some states have ruled that text messaging is already covered in the “hands-free” legislation.

Research shows texting to be far worse than other types of distractions (it represents all three types of distractions – Cognitive, Visual and Manual).

Page 14: Electronic Device Distractions

Tips for Drivers

Although it may seem impractical to some drivers, the best option is to turn off the phone while driving.

Page 15: Electronic Device Distractions

Tips for Drivers IF your company allows use of cell phones or

two-way radio devices, here are a few tips to consider: Safe driving is your first responsibility: always buckle

up, keep your eyes on the road, and hands on the wheel (use auto dialers or ask passengers to place calls for you)

When possible & safe to do so, pull off of the highway to make calls

Never take notes or read maps while on the phone under any kind of driving conditions.

Let the voicemail feature pick up calls when dealing with difficult driving conditions (bad weather, heavy traffic, etc.)

Page 16: Electronic Device Distractions

Tips for Drivers

Although the use of speaker phones, auto dialers and speech-activated phones will not eliminate the risk, these features can help you to maintain concentration on driving duties.

Investigate the new software applications for phones that enable you to stay in compliance with your company’s policies.

Page 17: Electronic Device Distractions

Summary

If you are distracted by a phone conversation or by using on-board electronic devices of ANY kind, you are putting yourself at risk of becoming involved in a collision, and possibly endangering others.

Page 18: Electronic Device Distractions

Summary

Above all else, you need to follow any state laws, as well as the policies of your company regarding the approved use of cell phones or similar devices in vehicles.

Page 19: Electronic Device Distractions

We’re Here To Help

Telcom is always here to offer assistance. We have Distracted Driver DVD’s in our Safety

Video Library, which as a policyholder, are available for your use during your safety

meetings.Please contact me anytime for additional

information.6301 Ivy Lane, Suite 506

Greenbelt, MD 20770800.222.4664. ext 3206

[email protected]