This paper explores the solutions for distracted driving. It elaborates the problem and gives statistics with regards to the number of drivers who are like to be using their phones while driving. The key concern is to discuss why distracted driving is a problem and why a viable solution is necessary to help eliminate this issue. From the written literature and transportation reviews it is evident that the three leading causes of distracted driving include road rage or emotional driving, driving with children, and texting while driving. Out of the three reasons, texting while driving is the most common. According to the survey done by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 50% of the driver has accepted that they usually use their phones while driving and 77% of young drivers have a belief that they can use their phones while driving and still stay focused on the road. To come up with the best solution for the problem, the paper explores possible solutions. The remedies include putting the smartphones away from reach by the drivers, use of distracted driving apps, seeking help from the passengers, pulling off the road to deal with distraction, setting passenger limits, and use of image recognition to detect drowsiness. However, this paper finds the most suitable solution for the problem to be the use of cell blocking technology which refers to an app for smartphones that is ordinarily available from wireless services and firms that are specialized in the apps. The most uncomplicated technology prevents calls or texts when a vehicle is moving whereas the most advanced systems can block audio features and track sudden stops and speed.
Introduction
Distracted driving is any pursuit that diverts the focus of the drivers from driving. These distractions include drinking and eating, navigation or entertainment system, texting on the phone, fiddling with the stereo, or any other thing that can divert the driver’s attention from safe driving (Klauer 56). However, texting has been the most dangerous form of distraction because reading or sending text messages takes the driver’s eyes off the road. Depending on the speed at which the vehicle is driven, only 5 seconds may be enough to cover a distance equivalent to the length of a football field. In other words, driving and reading or sending a text is the same as driving will the eyes are closed (Klauer 57). It is essential to understand that a driver’s attention and engagement in any non-driving activity is a probable destruction that can cause accidents.
Definition of the Problem
Distracted driving is widespread, and this becomes a problem because the drivers do not seem to take precautions to ensure that distractions do not occur. Moreover, this act does not only put the driver’s life in danger but also the passengers and other individuals who use the same road (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). Considering the statistics below, drivers should know that even if it is a brief text, it can have fatal results given that sending a text message makes one to fail in focusing on the road. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any given moment during daytime hours, approximately 660,000 drivers handle their cell phones or any other electronic devices while driving in the United States (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). Moreover, according to Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers are three times more likely to cause an accident as a result of distracted driving caused by the use of mobile gadgets. Therefore, distracted driving is a problem that has to be solved urgently. If not, the related accidents will continue to take place and individuals will still be hurt both physically and mentally by losing their loved ones or their own lives. The causes of distracted driving are discussed below.
Road Rage or Emotional Driving
According to the United States Census Bureau, citizens take about 100 hours annually commuting in their vehicles. Giving this long time, there are increased chances that situations and emotions will have to arise (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). Being alone or having friends and family in the car can provide a place for many to let lose their emotions especially when one had a rough day at work or due to other reasons. Nonetheless, driving while upset or angry amounts to distracted driving even if one may think that he or she is maintaining attention on the road.
The NHTSA has realized that out of the total accidents that result from distracted driving, 33% are due to road rage which accounts for about 218 deaths and 12,500 injuries and these numbers increase steadily by about 7% every year (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). Driving with road range leads to behaviors such as speeding, sudden breaking, flashing the vehicle lights, yelling, gesturing, tailgating, weaving lanes, and honking among others. In addition to road range, emotional driving can weaken the drivers’ skills just the same way the use of cell phones or drinking does (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). Regardless of whether one is excited, depressed, sad, or even frightened, these emotions slow down a driver’s reaction time, makes the driver make unsafe movements on the road, and impair observational skills.
Texting and Driving
Use of cell phone while driving is an issue that teens have been warned about time and again though they should not be the only growth to e cautioned because the problem affects nearly all drivers in the United States regardless of their age (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). About 50% of adults have accepted that they use their phone while driving mainly to send and receive text. Therefore, addiction to a cell phone is not exclusively among the young and this is the reason why in the year 2011, 23% of road accidents involved cell phone use and this percentage was equal to 1.3 million crashes.
Despite the numerous warnings and statistics that show how deadly driving and texting is, 77% of the young drivers believe that they can use their phone but still drive safely. Reasoning supports this belief that looking down at the telephone takes only around 5 seconds (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). Nevertheless, what they do not understand is that for only 5 seconds, a vehicle can cover an equal distance to that of the length of a football pitch when moving at a speed of 55mph. Therefore, considering what one can miss in this space makes it dangerous. For instance, the car in front can break suddenly, or even an animal may run into the road and cause an accident (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). So a lot can take place in just 5 seconds with regards to driving.
Driving with Children
Even though it can be inevitable, having children in the back seat can be 12 times more distracting than any other activity. According to Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute, it was found that in every 16 minutes of driving, parents take their eyes off the road to look at their children for about three and a half minutes accounting for about 22% of the whole journey (Schroeder, Mikelyn, and Lidia n. p). Children are eight time more distracting than adult passengers due to several reasons such as hunger, food fights, occasional temper tantrums, and argument with siblings.
Exploration of Possible Solution
Putting the Smartphone off Sight
As discussed above, use of cell phone is the most common and dangerous distraction to drivers as they drive. Therefore, the drivers must find a way to ensure that this distraction is prevented. Putting the phone on silent mode can be helpful (Hoff et al. 33). However, this approach will only help with texting but not with other phone use such as watching videos, taking photos, or even scrolling through the social media. One of the most appropriate ways to stop smartphone use it to keep the gadget away from reach by the driver (Hoff et al. 33). If the drivers keep their cell phones off sight while driving it will not be possible that it can distract them. The phones can be put in a bag and placed on the back seat.
Use of Distracted Driving Applications
There numerous distracted driving applications that when used by drivers can help in solving the problem of driving and texting. For instance, AT"T Drive Mode and LifeSaver help in blocking the incoming phone calls and messages so that these notifications do not distract the driver (Hoff et al. 33). Some of the distracting driving applications in addition to preventing distraction make safe driving a game by enabling the drivers to earn points that can be redeemed for rewards. By introducing these apps, the driving schools show drivers that their phones can be used for a useful purpose during driving rather than only being a distraction (Hoff et al. 34). With the technological growth, the year 2018 is expected to pave way even more efficient safe driving applications.
Seeking Help from the Passengers
Typically, the cell phone is not the only distraction that the drivers encounter while on the roads. The focus of the drivers can be affected by some other issues including trying to get something that is far from the driver or out of reach, entering an address into the GPS system, or even adjusting the radio among other things (Hill et al. 364). To prevent these distractions, the drivers can seek help from their passengers especially if the driver needs something that is not within their reach.
Getting Navigation set-up before Starting the Journey
If a driver takes a few minutes before starting the journey to organize him or herself, it will be easy to maintain focus on the road throughout the trip. It is essential to ensure that all that will be needed during the journey are located in a place where they can readily be accessed from the driver’s seat (Hill et al. 364). It is also important to enter the address of the last destination into the GPS system and assess the route before the journey can be started to provide some level of familiarity with direction. Moreover, adjusting the radio and the temperature so that the driver will not have to do so much when the car is in motion helps avoid distraction.
Pulling off the Road
It is evident that some driver will not stop answering their phone especially if it is a call that they had been waiting for. Therefore, instead of forcing themselves to multitask and engage in these activities while at the same time driving, it is advisable that the driver should only get off the road and find a parking lot or any other safe place to park then attend to their phones (Hill et al. 365). Nonetheless, many drivers find getting off the road or finding a place to park to have ample time to answer their call time consuming and tiring (Hill et al. 365). Nevertheless, it is vital that the driver should be comfortable to get used to stopping the vehicle off the road when they have to deal with their distractions.
Practicing Patience
At the time, learning ways through which a driver can exercise patient can be very helpful in avoiding distraction. For instance, if notifications appear on the driver’s cell phone, he or she might be tempted to reach across the car to read the text or respond to a call (Jones 130). However, if the driver is patient enough, they will understand that it is not a priority to reply to the text immediately but to stay focused on the road. Instead, the driver will wait patiently to get to the destination before responding (Overton et al. 189). Most driving schools have incorporated lessons into their curriculum aimed at teaching their students how to keep calm and maintain focus while they are driving. This approach helps in preventing distracted driving and also prevents road rage and aggressive driving.
Set Passenger Limits
Depending on the state that a driver comes from, the driving schools usually teach the drivers how to set passenger limits to ensure that they do not get distracted by other individuals in their vehicles (Jones 130). As the driver gains experience and becomes more stable and comfortable behind the wheel, he or she can review these limits to allow even friends in the vehicle as well.
Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars have been thought of as the most practical means to minimize distracted driving. After all, the individuals in the self-driving cars do not need paying attention to the road since the car does everything that a driver would have been expected to do (You et al. n. p). According to some studies carried out on the cars, it has been found that self-driving vehicles are even safer compared to the conventional ones.
Use of Image Recognition to Detect Drowsiness
Fellow drivers often identify the symptoms of distracted driving when they see cars making strange changes in speed or veering from their lanes. DENSO is a company that sells a Driver Status Monitor which uses image-based abilities to assess several things such as the head position of the driver and the length of time that the eyes of the drive stay closed (You et al. n. p). This technology maintains accurate performance regardless of the cabin layout of different vehicles and various degrees of environmental light. When the system detects a condition that indicates that the driver is too sleepy to carry out safe driving, it provides a warning on the screen of the device. Also, this technology can adjust the mirrors to enhance visibility.
Proposed Solution
As discussed above, cell phone use is the most popular driver distraction in the United States. Approximately 70% of drivers use a cell phone even though they know the risks that are involved when driving and drinking (You et al. n. p). Therefore, to stop distracted driving, it is essential to prevent cell phone use among the drivers. Some solutions have been provided for this problem, but some have been ineffective. The best solution for this issue can be the use of cell blocking applications and devices.
Cell Blocking Technologies
Cell blocking technology refers to an app for smartphones which is ordinarily available from wireless services and firms that are specialized in the apps. This technology prevents calls or texts when a vehicle is moving (You et al. n. p). However, the most advanced systems can block audio features and track sudden stops and speed. These technologies send emails or text notifications, providing useful information for the employers and parents of teens.
How it is used
Employers and parents of teens have widely used this technology to enforce cell phone policies and daily circumstances to help reduce driver temptations to use phones. In a study that was conducted by the National Safety Council, 82% of Americans who were interviewed said that they felt so much pressure from their families with regards to the use of cell phones while driving (You et al. n. p). Young drivers also reported receiving so much pressure from their families as well as their friends.
Why it is Necessary
Many drivers use a cell phone while driving despite the fact that they understand that this act can be fatal. 76% of the drivers surveyed by the NSC reported that they felt that they were at risk of getting involved in a crash because other drivers were distracted by technology. Nonetheless, 25% said that it was their distraction that was putting them at risk (You et al. n. p). In other words, “it is not me” attitude has been dominant because most drivers feel that they are better than any other driver around them. Many drivers are also unaware of the distractions that are caused by voice control and hands-free features. In the survey by NSC, 80% of drivers believe that hands-free devices are safer than hand-held ones and 53% believed that voice control features are safer for the reason that they are provided within the vehicles (You et al. n. p). Researchers have proved that drivers who use both hand-held and hands-free phones see only about 50% of the information in their driving environment. This phenomenon has been referred to as "inattention blindness" and has led to drivers missing things like stop signs and pedestrians hence causing accidents.
How it works
Cell phone blocking devices and apps are activated by adding services to a wireless plan, downloading the app onto the phone, or installing the equipment in the vehicle, to put a “geo-fence” (You et al. n. p). The “geo-fence” is also referred to as virtual barrier around the driver. All the products provide online dashboards that enable clients to choose settings and set up accounts.
Common Myths
People fear that this technology will deny them the chance to use their phones in an emergency. However, it is essential to know that swift 911overrides come standard on every blocking device (You et al. n. p). Moreover, individuals are free to use their phones on public transportation or as a passenger. Additionally, many providers of this technology allow for a short list-at time referred to as whitelist which contains a few phone numbers that can still reach the driver (You et al. n. p). These numbers may be recommended for safety but may be highly influential in raising the confidence level of the user.
Conclusion
Overall, distracted driving has been a principal cause of road accidents in the United States. Distracted driving is caused by various factors such as road rage or emotional driving, driving with children on board, and driving and texting. Several approaches have been employed to help solve this problem including putting the smartphones away from reach by the drivers, use of distracted driving apps, seeking help from the passengers, pulling off the road to deal with distraction, setting passenger limits, and use of image recognition to detect drowsiness. However, the best solution for this issue is the use of cell blocking technology. Cell blocking technology refers to an app for smartphones which is usually available from wireless services and firms that are specialized in the apps. The most uncomplicated technology prevents calls or texts when a vehicle is moving. However, the most advanced systems can block audio features and track sudden stops and speed. The apps and devices are activated by adding services to a wireless plan, downloading the app onto the phone many of which are free or installing the device in the vehicle to put a “geo-fence.”
Work Cited
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Klauer, Sheila G., et al. "Distracted driving and risk of road crashes among novice and experienced drivers." New England Journal of Medicine 370.1 (2014): 54-59.
Overton, Tiffany L., et al. "Distracted driving: prevalence, problems, and prevention." International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion 22.3 (2015): 187-192.
Schroeder, Paul, Mikelyn Meyers, and Lidia Kostyniuk. National survey on distracted driving attitudes and behaviors--2012. No. DOT HS 811 729. 2013.
You, Chuang-Wen, et al. "Carsafe app: Alerting drowsy and distracted drivers using dual cameras on smartphones." Proceeding of the 11th annual international conference on Mobile systems, applications, and services. ACM, 2013.
