Driver Distraction Summit in Washington, D.C., Part 2

“Inattention, was a contributing factor for 93 percent of the conflict with lead-vehicle crashes and minor collisions.” *
“The inattention to the forward roadway may explain why almost half of the drivers (47 percent) had no avoidance reaction.” *

*”The 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study”, T. A. Dingus et al, NHTSA, DOT HS 810 593, April 2006. The study involved 100 cars, 241 drivers, and 43 000 hours of data. 85 real collisions were recorded and analyzed.

We know about this issue and it is one important element to how we build cars to meet our Vision 2020 goal of no deaths in a new Volvo by the year 2020. While we can design great safety protection systems and accident avoidance technologies, the key is getting the driver to take responsibility for navigating 4,000 pounds of metal hurtling down the freeway at 70 mph. How do we keep him or her focused while feeding vehicle and personal information without creating a driver distraction situation – that’s the issue.  Here’s what we’re doing this week.

(Press Release)

VOLVO MAKES POWERFUL STATEMENT ON DISTRACTED DRIVING WITH ADS IN MAJOR DAILIES

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (Sept. 29, 2009) – Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (VCNA) is placing full-page ads in the Sept. 30 issues of USA Today and The Washington Post that call for distracted driving legislation.  Publicly taking a position on the need for legislation is a first for Volvo, and the company chose to do so simultaneous to the Department of Transportation’s “Distracted Driving Summit” in Washington, D.C.

The summit is a two-day meeting between senior transportation officials, elected officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives and academics to discuss how to combat distracted driving.  The ads discuss how Volvo, which is not a Summit participant, has long been focused on eliminating collisions in which distracted driving is a factor.  Volvo has done this, in part, by building cars that stop themselves and warn fatigued drivers when they waiver from their lane.

“With the proliferation of cell phone use and text messaging while behind the wheel, distracted driving is on the rise and is a leading cause of traffic accidents,” said Doug Speck, VCNA president and CEO.  “Reasonable laws that help focus a driver’s attention on the road will help reduce collisions, just as laws to enforce seat belt use have helped save lives.  By holding this summit, the DOT is demonstrating its commitment to resolve an ever-growing safety issue.”

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, seven states currently outlaw the use of a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving, and 18 states prohibit text messaging.  Both activities are barred in D.C.  In addition to cell phone use, other common driver distractions include rubbernecking (slowing down to look at an accident), driver fatigue, looking at scenery, other passengers, adjusting the radio and reading newspapers, books or maps.

Here is our newsprint insertion (click for full size):

We also produced this video:

Kind regards,
Dan
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Tags: distracted driving summit, safe, text messaging, u.s. department of transportation, USA Today, Volvo, washington d.c., Washington Post