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Driver Distraction- Our
Observations and Conclusion Download
this Article
Defining the driving system is an
essential part of working with driver distraction. In our pending
patent on driver distraction we have defined the driving system to
include these six elements:
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Introduction
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Driver distraction is a
leading cause of automobile accidents. Unlike accidents
related to drug and alcohol use, driver distraction is
not as measurable because it is not evident after an
accident has already occurred. Rarely do drivers
volunteer such information in the case an accident
happens.
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In recent history, driver
distraction was thought to be caused radios and the
like. Today, we know that driver distraction is not only
caused by the features of the car. There are many other
substantial causes as well.
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Our Observations
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Driver distraction is caused
by many factors. These factors can be divided into two
categories:
1) factors that can be
eliminated completely by a disciplined driver, and
2) factors that can not be
eliminated due to external factors and obligations a
driver cannot avoid.
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Distractions
We Can Get Around
Some examples of distractions
that can be eliminated by the driver are:
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Eating
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Drinking
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Answering or making calls on
a cell phone
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Reading papers or documents
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Other similar activities
that a driver can physically get involved with while
driving
It is, of course, possible to
avoid eating or drinking in the car while driving. Avoiding
additional tasks such as reading a map, looking for papers,
arranging one’s brief case or putting on make up is also
possible. It is a matter of personal choice that we make
regarding time management and life style.
But is This a Real Solution?
While keeping a radio or cell
phone turned off can be done easily, the life style most of
the world leads now will cause a great disadvantage to a
person carrying out such disciplined actions. An example of
such disadvantages can be:
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Missing information about
traffic deadlock ahead
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Missing a call regarding a
meeting cancellation or delay
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Getting home to find that
you needed to run errands that could have easily been
done while you were out.
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Distractions
We Cannot Get Around
Distractions that can not be
eliminated by a driver include events forced upon driver by
the surrounding environment. This includes:
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Crying children
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Other passengers
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A cell phone or pager
ringing in an inopportune time,
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Pets moving in the vehicle
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A malfunctioning vehicle
feature
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Other belongings shifting
with in the vehicle.
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Day dreaming, etc.
It is not possible to eliminate
all of these conditions all of the time. Some of these
distractions have cultural acceptance in origin, e.g.:
Other causes for distractions
are unforeseen and are events that aren’t controlled by the
driver, e.g.:
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Malfunctioning vehicle
feature
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Crying infant in the rear
seat
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Cell phone or pager ringing
at an inopportune time
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Smoker who is of special
importance to the driver, and cannot be asked to put out
their cigarette
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Two Different Root Causes, One Outcome-
What is the Solution?
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In a world that is connected, being
out of touch while in a vehicle is a luxury that no one person,
corporation, entity, or country can afford. Yet, we still have
to resolve the issues described above.
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Is turning a cell phone off
while driving a solution?
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Is keeping the babies at home
all the time a solution?
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Should it be illegal for a
manager to discuss business with an employee while in a car?
The answer to these questions and
similar ones is to achieve a solution that can orchestrate the
operations of the DrivingSystem™ without severely or unnecessarily
limiting any of its components.
Think of the solution as the ideal
driving experience: the highways may be dense with vehicles, but
they are able to share the road and coexist due to education,
organization, road engineering, and traffic law enforcement. This is
the model for our solution, STMC Gateway™.
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