It's been many years since Candid Camera was possibly thought to be relevant to television viewers, but now, a different version of it may help to make the roads safer for motorists.
A study released today by
After evaluating more than 13.8 million video events recorded over the course of 2010 involving 34,466 commercial drivers, the 2010 SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index (SDDI), SmartDrive quantified distractions such as cell phone usage, text messaging, use of maps or navigation, doing paperwork as well as other actions. The data was compiled using in-vehicle recorders that capture video, audio and vehicle data during sudden stops, swerves, collisions and other risky driving maneuvers. The events were then categorized and scored according to 50-plus safety observations.
The nine most common distractions observed in conjunction with a risky driving maneuver were:
• Distraction/2010 Rate
• Object in Hand/44.5%
• Talking on a Handheld Mobile Phone/13.4%
• Beverage/12.7%
• Food /10.1%
• Smoking/9.9%
• Operating a Handheld Device/9.1%
• Talking/Listening Mobile Phone - Hands Free/5.2%
• Manifest, Map or Navigation/1.0%
• Grooming/Personal Hygiene/0.6%
A separate report, released yesterday by
The survey of 1,000 motorists revealed that 30% of men and a fifth of women reported near misses as a result of distractions, citing adjusting the car stereo, eating or drinking soft drinks while driving as risky behavior likely to cause an accident.
Many more confessed to talking on mobile phones without hands-free devices, and reading maps while driving. The more unusual distractions included reading a book, kissing, applying make-up, swatting insects and even shaving while behind the wheel.
"Clearly motorists understand their risky behaviors are dangerous, but as many as 75% own up to taking their eyes off the road to do something other than driving," says Colin Greenhill, director of Santander Insurance. "It goes without saying that concentrating on the road ahead is essential and that drivers should adhere to this, regardless of how ‘important' their other task may be."
While virtually all the drivers surveyed 96% acknowledged that texting while driving was the most dangerous behavior, 20% still admitted to doing so anyway. Many respondents also expressed their anger at seeing other drivers' unsafe behavior, yet most owned up to being distracted drivers themselves.
Of the Santander's survey respondents, the following percentage admitted to taking the these risks:
• Adjusting the car stereo/76%
• Drinking a soft drink/66%
• Eating/64%
• Handling CDs/50%
• Talking on a mobile phone (without a hands-free device)/42%
• Reading a map/41%
