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Citation |
Regan M. Med. J. Aust. 2006; 185(11-12): 628-629. |
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Affiliation |
Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. (michael.reganATmuarc.monash.edu.au) |
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Comment On: |
Med J Aust 2006; 185(11-12): 630-4. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2006, Australian Medical Association, Publisher Australasian Medical Publishing) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
17181508 |
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Abstract |
The effect of mobile phone use on driving performance and safety has been a major focus of distraction research. Around 94% of Australians (19 million) own a mobile phone, and the capabilities of these devices are rapidly expanding. They can be used to talk, read and send text messages, download and play video clips from the Internet, navigate to chosen destinations, and perform other functions. When used while driving, they are capable of distracting drivers by taking drivers� eyes off the road (eg, when reading a text message), taking their attention off the road (eg, when talking), and physically interfering with vehicle control (eg, when reaching to answer the phone while steering). There is converging evidence that the use of mobile phones while driving increases crash risk. A New Zealand study estimates that crashes involving mobile phones account for about 0.5% of all reported crashes there, and a fourfold increase in crash risk has been reported in some epidemiological studies, for both hand-held and hands-free use. This increase in risk is similar in magnitude to that associated with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. Few epidemiological studies have reported data on the increased crash risk associated with driver exposure to other sources of distraction, although threefold increases in crash risk have been reported for young drivers who carry three or more passengers. However, it is not clear if this increase can be attributed solely to distraction. Controlled psychological studies, conducted mainly in simulators, have shown distraction-related decrements in driving performance with use of mobile phones that appear to underlie these increases in crash risk: impaired lane-keeping ability; poorer speed and following distance control; longer reaction times; missed traffic signals; a reduced useful visual field of view; and other related decrements. In determining the increased risk to the public of mobile phone use while driving, it is necessary to know the prevalence of this practice. Taylor and colleagues observed 17 000 drivers at 12 metropolitan road sites in Melbourne in October 2002.7 Overall, 1.85% of drivers (315) were observed using a hand-held phone. Older drivers had a significantly lower rate of use than middle-aged or young drivers. In this issue of the Journal, McEvoy and colleagues report a cross-sectional survey to explore the use and effects of mobile phones while driving for drivers in New South Wales and Western Australia. While driving, around 57% of drivers had ever used a mobile phone (39% of these had used a hand-held phone) and 12% had written and sent text messages. The authors estimate that, for all drivers aged 18-65 years in these two Australian states, about 1% will have ever had a crash while using a mobile phone and, in the preceding year, around 3% will have taken evasive action to avoid a crash because of their phone use. Collectively, the authors of these articles conclude that, despite legislation that bans the use of hand-held phones in Australia, mobile phone use is prevalent among drivers, particularly younger drivers, and that it can result in adverse consequences, including crashes. At a broader level, there is scope for further countermeasure development, and policymakers have many strategies at their disposal. This commentary lists 15 of them. Many of these have been adopted as recommendations in the recently released report of the Parliament of Victoria Road Safety Committee Inquiry into Driver Distraction.
Language: en |