Road and Street Maintenance Supervisors Conference

Road and Street Maintenance Supervisors Conference

Distracted Driving

Definition: Distracted Driving The practice of driving a motor vehicle while engaged in another activity, typically one that involves the use of a cellular phone or electronic device

Distracted Driving Driving in and of itself is a complex task Motor Learning How does it work? Learned skills Autonomy As with any complex task, it requires practice, training, experience and our FULL attention

Distracted Driving Driving should require our full attention How much do we pay attention though? Collision on the side of the road or other activities taking our eyes off of the road (Visual) Distractions in the vehicle (Manual) Cell phones, eating, passengers, navigation systems, radio, other traffic and all the toys many new vehicles come with. Fatigue, stress or other things in general taking our mind off of the task of driving (Cognitive)

Fact or Myth Multitasking. Are you good at multi-tasking? Walk and text? Cooking and talking on the phone? Driving and texting?

Fact or Myth Multitasking Let s try it out! Take out a sheet of paper Draw two horizontal lines Timing yourself, write I am a great multitasker on the first line and the numbers 1-20 on the second line How long did it take?

Fact or Myth Multitasking The reality Studies suggest we really do not complete tasks simultaneously as previously thought We switch tasks quickly Some people are very good at it!

Data It is estimated that 26% of all crashes are phone related nationwide. In Washington State 2012-2014 390 out of 1333 fatality collisions, distracted driving was a factor 1,373 our 6,143 serious injury collisions, distracted driving was factor

2012-2014 Data Primary roadway users were drivers between the ages of 16-25 Breakdown 64.9% due to inattention 17.9% due to unknown distraction 3.2% electronic devices Why is this percentage so small?

Continued Data Cell phone data does not show up well in fatality collisions as an officer needs a driver to admit to use Witness statements This would be the case for any collision where talking or texting on phone would be involved

Cellphones

Cellphones Why is this a problem? Most everyone has a cell phone Technology has come along way Basically a hand held computer Not your brick or bag phone Instantly connected to almost everything, anywhere, anytime Social media

Cellphones Cellphone use can be addictive Americans report dependency on their cellphones 83% of Americans own some form of a mobile device

Cellphones 50% percent of young adults report Could not do anything because there phone was not nearby Frustration if content took too long to download Use for entertainment when there is nothing else to do

What are we doing?

What are we doing? The law 46.61.667 Wireless Device 46.61.668 Texting while driving 2015 Violations 18,005 Wireless Device 4,125 Texting While driving

What are we doing? 2007-Washington State was the first state in the nation to ban texting and holding a cell phone to your ear while driving 2010-The law was changed making it a primary offense Washington Traffic Safety Commission Target Zero Initiative We still have some work to do!

What Can you do? How do you keep yourself and the people you are responsible for safe?

What Can you do? Advanced Notice Utilize the media to alert the public to any work being conducted In emergency and non emergency situations, use of social media can be a great tool A great way to instantly get the word out and notify the public of changes Notify law enforcement

What Can you do? Visibility Proper Clothing Properly marked vehicles and equipment Signage far enough in advance of your working area Over compensate on visual clues that alert drivers to you maintenance efforts.

What Can you do? Training Train your staff to know what to look for Potential driving patterns Watching each other s backs Avoid in attentional blindness Focus on the job but be aware of your surroundings Learn to recognize the danger before it s too late!