Running Head: DISTRACTED DRIVING
The Issues of Distracted Driving
Kristie Walker
Argosy University
The research proposal is written for the Cognitive Psychology course at Argosy University.
Concerns about this proposal should be addressed to Kristie Walker, psychology major. Email:
twinmom7@argosy.stu.edu.
DISTRACTED DRIVING
Abstract
Cell phone usage is growing, and this proposal aims at trying to limit cell phone use while
driving. Five studies point out distraction driving and the consequences that result from shifting
attention, as well as the importance that is placed on cell phones. The results in the studies
yielded positive results that cell phone use as well as other distractions cause poor driving
performance and safety concerns for all drivers. However more research is needed to conclude
cell phone use causes crashes.
Introduction
Distracted driving occurs when people focus their attention on other things while driving.
Responding or initiating phone calls or text messages, eating and drinking, changing the radio
station, and sightseeing are just some of the distractions that occur on the road as people drive to
their destinations. Among the most dangerous of distractors is the cell phone because it requires
visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver (What is Distracted Driving, n.d.). Since
2010 a steady 660,000 drivers used cell phones or operated other electronic devices while
driving, and sending or receiving text messages takes a driver's eyes from the road for an
average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field,
blind (What is Distracted Driving, n.d.). This blindness can lead to accidents and even
fatalities. We need 100% of our attention when we drive, says Shlomo Breztnitz cofounder and
scientist of Cognifit (2009), because driving is one of the most cognitively complex activities we
do. We need to concentrate, observe, and process information quickly and correctly. Distracted
driving is a safety problem and the following research studies shines light on the many issues
caused by distractions such as the cell phone. The research studies suggests limitations on cell
phone use while driving to increase safety on the roads.
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Most people these days cant go a couple of minutes without being on their phones
whether its texting, talking, or just checking mail; making cell phones the utmost importance to
people while safety falls behind with one reason being social pressure. This research attempts to
explain how initiating behavior and responding behavior has an influence on drivers,
particularly Australian drivers, intentions to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. The
behaviors were categorized with answering calls and reading text messages being under
responding behaviors, and making calls and sending texts under initiating behaviors. These two
behaviors have been linked with the social pressure to respond, which is the reason for the use in
this research study. Waddell and Wiener (2014) sampled 181 drivers between the ages of 18-66
who completed an online survey which measured attitude, subjective norm, perceived
behavioral control, descriptive norm, past behavior and intention, in relation to initiating and
responding behavior. The results concluded that the measurements of the survey were all
predictors of drivers intentions to do both initiating and responding behavior. Drivers reported
to have greater intentions to responding behaviors as well as more frequent responding than
initiating phone calls and text messages. This research indicates that social pressure to respond
to texts and calls plays a role in the use of cell phones while driving because people cant
postpone their responses to texts and calls till after they get to their destinations. Recommending
reasons to postpone the use of cell phones while driving, like emergencies, could help because
the phone will be there even after individuals get to where they are going.
Even with the other ways to use a cell phone while driving, like earphone-operated cell
phones, loudspeaker-operated phones, an individual is still adding additional tasks to the regular
tasks involved in driving. This experiment shows evidence of participants performing two tasks
at the same time while driving to test their ability to shift attention. The peripheral detection task
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consisted of responding to visual stimuli while driving. The visual stimuli was delivered through
a LED placed on the internal rear mirror. The conversation task consisted of the driver
conversing with a passenger, or through earphone-operated, loudspeaker-operated, or hand-held
cell phones. Participants included 12 volunteered undergraduate students between the ages of
23-30 years old with normal vision and no hearing problems. All the participants drove an
instrumented, manual gearbox car. The results indicated that conversations that occurred in the
personal space caused drivers to have slower reactions to visual stimuli compared to
conversations in far spaces. This article generalizes the cost of shifting attention between tasks
while driving. Slower reactions to visual stimuli can ultimately cost someone their life.
Limiting phone use while driving could increase reaction time even if it is slightly.
There is nothing more beneficial to the cause of banning cell phone use than individual
testimonies of vehicle crashes and their origins. This study evaluates vehicle crashes associated
with external distractions that divert drivers attention at the wheel. Bakiri et al (2013) had a list
of potential distracting events and activities which included: listening to the radio or music,
watching television, cell phone use (specifying whether hand-held or hand-free), conversation,
dialing, text messaging, Internet, navigation system use, reading a road map, having a
conversation with or listening to passengers, scolding children, arguing, eating, drinking,
smoking, picking up an object, putting on make-up, reading, writing, singing, kissing or hugging,
and being distracted by an event outside the vehicle. This study compared the rate of exposures
between drivers that caused the accident and drivers that didnt. The participants included 955
drivers injured as a result of a motor vehicle crash from an adult emergency department of the
Bordeaux University Hospital in France from April 2010 to August 2011. The data was collected
through direct interviews with the injured subjects with informed consent. Bakiri, et al (2013)
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concluded that, distracting events inside the vehicle (picking up an object), distraction due to
driver activity (smoking), and distracting events occurring outside were associated with an
increased probability of being at fault. These distraction-related factors accounted for 8% of road
crashes that resulted in injuries. These research results add to the long list of reasons why people
shouldnt do other things while driving. Not only do distractors put the driver at risk, but others
as well. I propose the disuse of cell phones unless an emergency needs attending while driving.
The lack of cell phone use would be a way to reduce distractions, improving safety for all drivers
and passengers.
We have discussed the distractions that people face while driving, but we have yet to
touch on the driving performance that results from these different distractions including cell
phone use while driving. This study examines how risky behaviors while driving and cell phone
use while driving affects overall performance on the road. Participants in this study answered to
online and newspaper advertisements, and had to meet health and driving requirements to
participate in this study. A sample of 108 participants included three different age groups; 20-29,
40-49, and 60-69. The data was drawn by using a pre-experimental questionnaire called the
Manchester Driver Behavior Questionnaire, driving history of the participants, and attitude
variables. The results showed that frequently using cell phones while driving resulted in faster
driving, more lane changing, spending more time in the left lane, and having more instances of
hard braking and high acceleration events. The participants also scored higher in self-reported
driving violations on the questionnaire, and reported more positive attitudes toward speeding and
passing than drivers who did not report using a cell phone regularly while driving (Zhao, Reimer,
Mehler, DAmbrosio, & Coughlin, 2013). This study adds the aspect of poor driving
performance to the list of reasons why people shouldnt use their cell phones while on the road.
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These behaviors increase the overall chances of crashing, which benefits the research of why
people shouldnt use their cell phones while driving (Zhao, Reimer, Mehler, DAmbrosio, &
Coughlin, 2013).
People driving differently when distracted by cell phones will affect traffic operations
which can lead to car pile ups and angry drivers. This study examines an association between
distracted driving and traffic congestion. Participants included teens and young adults between
the ages of 16-25 years divided into groups of novice drivers and young adult drivers. The study
had participants operate a driving simulator with various driving conditions and distractions.
Stavrinos et al (2013) concluded that texting caused greater fluctuation in speed, fewer lane
changes, and participants took longer to complete the scenario. Also more simulated vehicles
passed the participant drivers while they were texting or talking on a cell phone than while
undistracted. The results indicate that distracted driving such as texting reduced safety and traffic
operations suffered. This study also showed there were no differences between the age groups
that participated which says that it doesnt matter what age you are, driving while distracted is
bad period.
All the studies support the effects that distractions have on individual attention. One
study looks at shifting attention between objects, while another points out differences between
attention of external distractions as well as internal ones. Concentration of the task at hand,
which should be driving, is altered because of distractions resulting in poor driving
performances, which are pointed out by two of the studies mentioned. All the studies reveal that
individuals need 100% of their attention while driving. While we think we are multi-tasking, in
actuality, the brain cant process separate streams of information well which impairs driving.
While mobile devices help us make those important connections, such as those emergency calls
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when something happens, there are also those times that we need to put those devices aside and
focus on other things like the safety of ourselves as well as others. Making drivers more aware
of their responsibilities by educating them on the dangers and risks of cell phone use while
driving could ultimately save many lives. Also educating the public on damage costs could boost
an individuals want to limit cell phone use while driving. Limiting cell phone use to the calls
that are absolutely essential can help with better driving performances.
These 5 studies support the theory that driving while using cell phones, and/or dealing
with other distractions can result in bad driving conditions. Although different reasons for
limiting cell phone use while driving was proved in these studies, future research could explore
new tools and strategies for safer driving, or experiment on the effects of using speed dial or
other tools to reduce distraction time. It is important to encourage people to practice safety. As
an individual gets older the brain needs more time to process information, causing distractions to
be harder to overlook. The older age groups and the matter of cell phone usage while driving
needs to be explored more.
Pulling over if we need to make a call, using the phone when we
stop to get gas, or while in the grocery store could also limit cell phone use while driving.
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References
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Gabaude, C., Fort, A., Maury, B., Lemercier, C., Cours, M., Bouvard, M. P., and Orriols,
L. (2013). Distraction and driving: Results from a casecontrol responsibility study of
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Iss.Volume 22; p.1-11.Retrieved from:
http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/science/article/pii/S136984781300104.
Zhao, N., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., DAmbrosio, L. A., & Coughlin, J. F. (2013). Self-reported and
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http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/science/article/pii/S000145751200273.
What is distracted driving? NHTSA. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved from:
http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html.
