The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center

CB# 3430 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Telephone: (919) 962-2202 In-state Telephone: (800) 672-4527 Fax: (919) 962-8710 http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/index.cfm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 1, 2012 Monica Jones, PR Coordinator jonesma1@appstate.edu (336) 416-4506 UNC HIGHWAY SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER RELEASES FINDINGS OF DISTRACTED DRIVER STUDY CHAPEL HILL, NC -- The UNC Highway Safety Research Center released the findings from a study conducted on distracted teenage drivers on Sept. 5 2012. The study sought to research which distractions were most common amongst teenage drivers, whether gender plays a role in the type and frequency of distractions, and whether the quantity and characteristics of passengers affected driving behavior. By gaining a better understanding of the frequency and nature of distracted driver behaviors and distracting conditions, more effective interventions can be developed, Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Center for the Study of Young Drivers Robert Foss said. The study consisted of 52 high school drivers who agreed to have a video camera placed in their vehicles to observe driving behavior as well as conditions. Participants, the majority of which were female (69%), ranged in age from 16 to 18. Much of the research on distracted driving has concentrated on adults. By contrast, relatively little is known about distracted driving among teenagers. There are several reasons to be especially concerned about teenagers and distracted driving. Young drivers are among the strongest users of cell phones, and they tend to be early adopters and aggressive users of new technology, said Stephanie Harrell, one of the study authors. In total, participants were observed using an electronic device in 6.7% of all driving clips. Actually holding a phone to the ear accounted for only about one third of this number, whereas texting or holding an electronic device accounted for the remaining usage. However, the frequency of electronic device usage varied greatly by driver: Nine drivers (17%) were not observed using an electronic device in any of their clips while six drivers (12%) were observed using an electronic device in more than 15% of their driving clips. Female drivers were found to be twice as likely as male drivers to use an electronic device
Copyrighted material was utilized in this class assignment under Fair Use section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law.

while driving. Females were also found to be more likely to adjust controls or reach for objects in the vehicle while driving. Males were observed twice as much as females turning around while driving. The role of passengers was significant in determining the frequency and effect on driving behavior amongst participants. There were very few differences between male and female drivers in terms of distractions involving passengers. Loud conversations were observed in 12.2% of all driving clips involving passengers while horseplay was only visible in 6.3%. The study determined that distracted behaviors generally occur more often when there were no passengers present in the vehicle. In 16.9% of clips where the driver was alone, distracting behavior occurred. For more information about the Highway Safety Research Center visit http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/about/index.cfm. ###

Copyrighted material was utilized in this class assignment under Fair Use section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law.