The Risk of a Safety-Critical Event Associated With Mobile Device Use in Specific Driving Contexts

Abstract

Objective: We explored drivers’ mobile device use and its associated risk of a safety-critical event (SCE) in specific driving contexts. Our premise was that the SCE risk associated with mobile device use increases when the driving task becomes demanding.

Methods: Data from naturalistic driving studies involving commercial motor vehicle drivers and light vehicle drivers were partitioned into subsets representative of specific driving contexts. The subsets were generated using data set attributes that included level of service and relation to junction. These attributes were selected based on exogenous factors known to alter driving task demands. The subsets were analyzed using a case-cohort approach, which was selected to complement previous investigations of mobile device SCE risk using naturalistic driving data.

Results: Both commercial motor vehicle and light vehicle drivers varied as to how much they conversed on a mobile device but did not vary their engagement in visual–manual subtasks. Furthermore, commercial motor vehicle drivers conversed less frequently as the driving task demands increased, whereas light vehicle drivers did not. The risk of an SCE associated with mobile device use was dependent on the subtask performed and the driving context. Only visual–manual subtasks were associated with an increased SCE risk, whereas conversing was associated with a decreased risk in some driving contexts.

Conclusion: Drivers’ engagement in mobile device subtasks varies by driving context. The SCE risk associated with mobile device use is dependent on the types of subtasks performed and the driving context. The findings of this exploratory study can be applied to the design of driver–vehicle interfaces that mitigate distraction by preventing visual–manual subtasks while driving.

Keywords:

• cell phone
• cognitive distraction
• crash risk
• driver distraction
• driver error
• texting