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On the Road with Mobile Phones
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| Safety Implications of Wireless Communications in Vehicles |
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| Updated |
Jul 7, 2004 20:33:51 |
| Rating |
 79 ( -13 -16.45% ) | | Author | NHTSA |
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Description:
The wireless communications industry is perhaps matched only by the personal computer field in the rate at which new products and features are being introduced to the marketplace. In the two years since the research for this report was initiated, the technology has changed dramatically and what was once a novelty, used primarily by businesses, has now become commonplace among the masses. Today, cellular telephones are owned by more than 50 million Americans and new technological breakthroughs have seen a migration from analog to digital architectures along with the recent introduction of "Personal Communications Services (PCS)" as a competitor to the cellular market. Driven by these developments, new capabilities beyond voice communications are being made available at an accelerated rate, compelling the user to upgrade to palm-size devices that allow activities such as checking of e-mail, "surfing the net," receiving stock quotes - from the classroom, the beach or perhaps from our vehicles.
The issues discussed in this report relate to all forms of wireless communications technology that may be used by drivers. In an effort to simplify the language in this report, as a service to the reader, we have elected to use the familiar phrase "cellular telephone" throughout the document, rather than a more general identifier such as "wireless communications device." It should be noted, however, that the issues addressed here-in are independent of the underlying technology, service or carrier and apply to all wireless communications devices and associated systems.
Industry Growth
The extensive growth in the wireless communications industry over the past ten years has been accompanied by growing concern for the potential hazards of drivers using wireless communication devices from moving vehicles. Given the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) mission to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce traffic-related health care and other economic costs (through regulation, enforcement, economic incentives, educational programs, basic and applied research, and technology demonstration programs), the Agency has taken a particular interest in this issue.
DOT currently has a number of programs that focus on how best to utilize wireless technology in the vehicle to support efficient and effective emergency response (e.g., automated collision notification [ACN], nationwide 911 access to emergency services from vehicles, in-vehicle information on traffic hazards and roadway conditions). In addition, the safety benefits of having a communications capability available within a vehicle are well documented and supported by both law enforcement and consumer safety groups, which frequently promote the use of these devices to ensure the security of the driver as well as to report congestion, crashes, and drunk drivers.
Growing Safety Concern
Nevertheless, there has been increasing concern over the safety of using communications devices while driving, particularly within the public sector, and this has been reflected in the growing number of legislative initiatives in the states that address the use of wireless communications in vehicles. In response, NHTSA has prepared this report to help ensure that the public, the wireless industry, and the states have sufficient knowledge upon which to make informed decisions regarding the issues and to identify needed initiatives and research to help ensure that the economic, safety, and convenience benefits of mobile wireless communications can be maintained within an acceptable margin of safety. The objective of this effort is thus to assess the current state of knowledge regarding the safety implications of using wireless communication while driving a motor vehicle and to explore the broader safety issues associated with such use. This report examines the topic by reviewing available data and information on user characteristics, examining crash statistics, performing statistical analyses, and conducting a comprehensive critical review of relevant published research studies.
The report addresses four specific questions as follows:
Does use of cellular telephone technology while driving increase the risk of a crash?
What is the magnitude of the traffic safety problem related to cellular telephone use while driving?
Will crashes likely increase with increasing numbers of users of cellular telephone technology in the fleet?
What are the options for enhancing the safe use of cellular telephones by drivers?
Enhanced Data Collection
Based on the information collected it can be concluded that in some cases, the inattention and distraction created by the use of a cellular telephone while driving is similar to that associated with other distractions in increasing crash risk. Both the research studies and crash data reviewed in this report highlight several factors by which cellular telephone use while driving can increase the risk of a crash. Among these, conversation appears to be most associated with the crashes reviewed.
Furthermore, it is clear that at this time there are insufficient data to indicate the magnitude of any safety-related problem associated with cellular telephone use while driving. This is a consequence of inadequate reporting and thus it cannot be determined whether a problem requiring action exists. Rather it serves to underscore the need for enhancing such data collection at both the state and national levels.
The data also suggest that as the use of in-vehicle wireless communications technology increases there will be an associated increase in related crashes if little changes. However, the accuracy of this prediction in either direction (i.e., increase or decrease in crashes) is uncertain, given the pace at which cellular telephone designs and the functions they can perform are changing. Such changes, along with state legislative initiatives and changes in wireless subscriber characteristics, virtually ensure that usage patterns will change over time and thus influence associated crash trends.
Options: Enforcement and Education
In the report, NHTSA presents a variety of options for enhancing the safe use of cellular telephones by drivers and addressing the many issues raised. These include educational, research, enforcement and legislative considerations and initiatives. The intent is to better define the nature and magnitude of any potential traffic safety problem and assist the public, the states and the industry in making informed decisions on how best to address any issues related to cellular telephone use and driving.
Americans spend substantial amounts of time commuting and members of the public place high importance on keeping up with their tasks and activities. It is therefore not surprising that individuals will attempt to optimize their time in the automobile by doing other things concurrently. It may be unrealistic and perhaps ill-advised to conclude that drivers should have no advanced in-vehicle information systems at their disposal because they might be a source of distraction. A number of intelligent transportation system (ITS) initiatives intended to improve the highway safety and efficiency, are, in fact, focusing on increasing such information availability. These initiatives, however, have heightened NHTSA concern over possible synergistic effects of the various technologies that might increase driver workload beyond acceptable levels.
Until we have a better understanding of the nature and magnitude of any safety related problem, rather than restricting access, the goal should be to make in-vehicle information systems, including wireless communication, as compatible with safe driving as the state-of-the-art allows. This can be accomplished through the application of good engineering and human factors design practice. This must be done while addressing possible adverse safety implications for the population as a whole. In addition, the report offers a number of recommendations for addressing the broad range of issues identified.
These recommendations include:
Improving data collection and reporting.
Improving consumer education.
Initiating a broad range of research to better define and understand the problem.
Addressing issues associated with use of cellular phones from vehicles to access emergency services.
Encouraging enforcement of existing state laws to address inattentive driving behavior.
Working with states on legislative options.
Using the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) and instrumented vehicles to study optimal driver/vehicle interfaces.
Developing a sound basis for carrying out cost benefit analyses.
Appropriately addressing these recommendations will not only enhance the safety of wireless communication from vehicles in the short term, but ultimately will allow the Agency to bring to the table the information necessary to determine whether more aggressive action is required. |
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