We don’t always look at the road when driving, study reveals. But distracted driving greatly increases the risk of accidents for novice drivers.
Eating, texting or drinking … These simple tasks become dangerous while driving because they monopolize our attention. But, according to a recent study by Virginia Tech published on January 2 in the New England Journal of Medicine, we spend 10% of the time driving without looking at the road.
Drinking quadruple the risk
New technologies increase the risk of being distracted while driving. Novice drivers are particularly affected by this phenomenon. They are the most likely to be involved in an accident or near collision while driving while doing other things. “Anything that takes the driver’s eyes off the road is potentially dangerous,” recalls Dr. Bruce Simons-Morton, co-author of the study. “But our study shows that these distracting practices are particularly dangerous for young drivers, who have not developed sound judgment behind the wheel. “
The simple act of grabbing an object in the passenger compartment or dialing a phone number increases the risk of accidents for novices by eight. That’s twice as much as the act of eating or texting. Driving without distraction is highly recommended, regardless of age. Even experienced drivers double the risk of an accident by answering the phone. On the other hand, secondary tasks like drinking, tuning the radio or smoking are not associated with increased danger. These bad habits are widespread: 31% of French people send text messages while driving, according to figures from Road Safety.
Good habits early on
To reach these conclusions, the researchers equipped 150 vehicles with cameras and sensors. As soon as the drivers started up, the devices recorded each event: acceleration, sudden braking, swerving, changing lanes, etc. After an accident or a near-collision, the researchers reviewed the driver’s activity. Among the riskiest activities, talking, dialing a phone number, looking for an object, adjusting the heating or the radio, but also drinking, eating, looking outside the vehicle and adjusting your seat belt. Of course, the use of new technologies is at the top of the ranking.
“Our data is in line with the current trend, which places restrictions on the use of phones in the vehicle. As new forms of technology are increasingly present in cars, it is important that drivers do not feel pressured to answer any call or text, ”stresses Dr Simons-Morton. The team recommends that the youngest be accustomed to good practices: never get behind the wheel, explain to your children that you have to be immobilized to use your phone. Because, if the fact of picking up does not increase the risk of an accident, that of looking for your cell phone is very dangerous.
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