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 Papers, polls, Q&A items, and comments on this page are oriented to topics and issues associated with Benefits and Safety Risks of in-vehicle technologies. Feel free to post comments on issues outlined below, or in response to papers, polls, and/or questions submitted to our expert panel. Although discussions are meant to emphasize safety impacts associated with in-vehicle technological devices, comments relating to safety risks deriving from non-technological or traditional sources of distraction (e.g., eating, shaving, applying make-up, monitoring kids, etc) are also welcome. A moderator has been assigned to periodically synthesize comments, keep discussions focused and moving, emphasize key points, and offer additional insights into related issues.

DISCUSSION ISSUES/TOPICS

Extent of Problem & Safety Risks

  • To what extent is there a safety problem? Are problems limited to new users who are first learning to use the system, or are they more pervasive and wide spread?
  • How can we maintain benefits without sacrificing safety?
  • What can we expect to see in terms of impacts and how do we assess the appropriate level of safety risks from using in-vehicle technologies?
    • Can we expect crash rates to increase as a result of in-vehicle technologies?
    • How will these technologies affect individual’s ability to drive?
    • Can drivers be trusted to regulate their use of these technologies – limiting their use to situations when it is presumed safe to operate.
    • Will drivers become less cautious as they become routinely exposed to these technologies?
Research Needs
  • What are the important unanswered questions relating to safety & benefits of in-vehicle technology. What research issues should we invest our time and resources studying?

 

Content Available In Each Topic Area

  Paper  
comments
  Comment  

  Ask the Expert  

  Poll  

 

Extent of Problem & Safety Risks
            
  The Impact of Internal Distraction on Driver Visual Behavior   5/17/00 2:30:52 PM

  The Influence of the Use of Mobile Phones on Driver Situation Awareness   5/17/00 2:31:00 PM

  Issues in the Evaluation of Driver Distraction Associated with In-Vehicle Information and Telecommunications Systems   5/18/00 9:44:51 AM

  Individual Differences and In-Vehicle Distraction While Driving: A Test Track Study and Psychometric Evaluation   5/18/00 10:35:38 AM

  A Technical Platform for Driver Inattention Research   5/18/00 1:34:17 PM

  In terms of safety, what type of distraction concerns you more?   

  Have you ever witnessed, or experienced a close call or crash resulting from a driver using a cellular phone or from your personal use with a cell phone?   

  How capable are drivers at making decisions about when it is safe to use technology while driving?   

comments   my own inability   7/6/00 8:21:30 AM

comments   driving while inconversated   7/6/00 8:31:21 AM

comments   honk honk honk! hang up the @#$%$#@ cell phone please!    7/6/00 8:40:13 AM

comments   Driving is dangerous enough.   7/8/00 12:16:49 AM

comments   More distractions?   7/8/00 9:24:29 AM

comments   more comments after reading studies   7/8/00 9:28:20 AM

  Have you ever witnessed, or experienced a close call or crash resulting from a driver being distracted by something other than a cell phone? (e.g. reading a map, eating, personal grooming)   

comments   in-vehicle technology needs to be eliminated   7/13/00 10:17:06 PM

comments   Hang-up and Drive   7/14/00 10:31:02 AM

comments   General comments about distracted drivers   7/14/00 3:33:25 PM

comments   Passenger airbags; forcing children, especially rear-facing infants to the back seat where they are responsible for crash causing driver distractions.   7/14/00 5:48:07 PM

comments   Multitude of distractions   7/15/00 11:26:03 PM

comments   Distraction Perspective   7/17/00 10:42:58 PM

comments   Driving is Given Less Attention Than it Deserves   7/18/00 9:10:49 AM

comments   Now that we know.....   7/18/00 9:15:10 AM

comments   Lonely on the road   7/18/00 5:18:40 PM

comments   cell phones   7/18/00 5:27:39 PM

comments   Distractions   7/18/00 8:09:55 PM

comments   Latest attempt to legislate common sense at the expense of freedom   7/18/00 9:21:39 PM

comments   Children in the back seat   7/18/00 10:27:26 PM

comments   Benefits are minimal; not worth the risks   7/19/00 10:20:19 AM

comments   Comment on "Benefits are minimal..."   7/19/00 5:07:26 PM

comments   Benefits---I am not convinced   7/20/00 10:42:30 AM

comments   There is a solution - it's called the train   7/20/00 12:34:16 PM

comments   The *real* problem   7/21/00 11:52:59 AM
Michael   Cochrane
Government

Refering to: General comments about distracted drivers

Thank goodness common sense and reason still shine through all the rampant emotionalism about the use of technology in vehicles. As much of a distraction as cell phones can be, they are only the tip of the iceberg; and, I believe their use is actually getting an unfair rap in the current buzz about driver distraction. Why has no one mentioned the fact that the quality of our driving is a direct reflection of the quality of both new driver training as well as periodic recertification? Having lived in both Germany and England, I can tell you that the foundation for this problem lies in the abysmal to nonexistent level of driving instruction and licensing in this country. A good driver has learned and internalized three important things: 1) the ability to handle (really handle) an automobile even at the limits of its performance (i.e., an emergency maneuver) 2) a respect for *all* the traffic laws (not just speeding) recognizing that they are there for our safety and for better traffic flow 3) a heightened level of awareness and concentration on the act of driving, including (but not limited to) anticipation of other drivers' potential dangerous actions. That's it. These three things make good drivers. We should be rigorously teaching them in regulated driving schools. People should have to pay a hefty tuition to obtain certified, high quality driving instruction. To obtain a license, one should have to pass a difficult driving and written exam. To keep one's license, recertification and retesting should be mandatory every 3 years. Failure to pass a recertification driving exam after the second time, will result in suspension of license for 6 months. Of course, this kind of thing will never pass any state legislature in this country, but making better drivers must be the foundation for any attempt to make our roads safer. Why treat the just the symptoms when we could be going after the disease? Michael F. Cochrane, Ph.D.


comments   What about other in-vehicle technologies?   7/21/00 5:24:54 PM

comments   The scope of "distractions" needs to be cast much wider   7/21/00 9:35:32 PM

   Trained drivers susceptible to distraction? (See detailed question below)   7/25/00 8:56:18 AM

comments   oh dear its you we should watch for   7/26/00 10:13:43 AM

comments   Driver Training   7/26/00 12:45:19 PM

comments   Engage brain before putting mouth into gear   7/27/00 1:17:58 PM

comments   comment on: Benefits---I am not convinced   8/1/00 9:57:07 AM

comments   RE: oh dear its you we should watch for    8/3/00 7:06:56 AM

comments   Map Readfing while driving   8/3/00 7:25:10 AM

comments   RE: Latest attempt to legislate common sense at the expense of freedom   8/3/00 7:59:16 AM

comments   Referring to: cell phones    8/3/00 8:54:22 AM

comments   RE: Greg Knight's comment   8/3/00 10:14:11 AM

   Technology Related Distraction & Crashes (see detailed question below)   8/3/00 10:28:09 AM

comments   Comment on: RE: Greg Knight's comment   8/3/00 12:35:46 PM

comments   Have you been to Westport, CT?   8/5/00 9:25:19 PM

comments   RE: Lonely on the road    8/7/00 11:30:54 AM

comments   driver awareness   8/8/00 10:04:57 AM

comments   Think about it   8/8/00 2:58:44 PM

comments   911?   8/8/00 3:12:11 PM

comments   Critical Input: Headway to vehicle in front   8/8/00 4:46:30 PM

comments   Riding my bike home from work   8/8/00 10:26:39 PM

comments   Infants in the back seat   8/10/00 11:10:47 AM

comments   RE: 911?   8/10/00 12:08:03 PM

comments   Human element cannot be minimized by technology   8/10/00 9:57:59 PM

comments   One size does not fit all   8/11/00 2:27:09 PM
Research Needs