Driver Distraction Related to Truck Crashes

23 Jun 2009

According to a recent study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver distraction, from cell phone use to dispatching devices, was involved in 100 percent of commercial vehicles crashes.

In addition, driver distraction was involved in 81 percent of safety-critical events. Using in-cab video taken from about 200 truck drivers and about 3 million miles of driving, the institute analyzed and measured the impact of driver distraction on crashes and other performance errors by looking at the types of tasks drivers were doing and what their eyes were focused on.The study found that tasks such as text messaging and dialing while driving posed the most risk, while the act of talking or listening to devices had a protective effect. Talking actually reduced the risk because it helped drivers to stay alert.