Can AI prevent distracted driving?
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This is an official awareness campaign by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US to raise awareness of the dangers of driving distracted. Here, I look at the problem of distracted driving, discuss how we can measure it, and – most importantly – explain the role of technology in preventing it.
Distracted driving: what’s the problem?
Distracted driving is a major contributor to crashes. And, while mobile phone use while driving has become the most commonly discussed distraction, there are other distractions too. Adjusting the entertainment system, eating, drinking, talking to passengers and even daydreaming can all distract from the task in hand.
There are no exact numbers for how many crashes involve distraction, although it has been reported that around 15% of crashes involve a distracted driver.
Why does distraction affect road safety?
Driving requires 100% focus, all the time. That’s because driving is a complex task. Not only does it involve the basic skills of operating a vehicle, but it calls for a constant awareness of what is going on around you, good judgment and fast decision making.
When it comes to distracted driving, there are three primary types of distraction: visual, manual and cognitive. Visual takes your eyes off the road. Manual takes your hands off the wheel. And cognitive takes your mind away from driving. Some activities – such as using a hand-held phone at the wheel, can involve all three types of distraction.
What happens when drivers are distracted?
Distraction has a significant effect on driving. It can impair decision-making, slow down reaction times and result in drivers completely missing surrounding hazards – or seeing them too late.
Subtle behaviors that might indicate a distracted driver include following too closely, inconsistent speed, drifting between lanes and sudden braking. Of course, these behaviors increase crash risk for drivers and that’s why distracted driving is such a significant problem for road safety.
How AI technology can help to combat distracted driving
AI is doing amazing things in terms of road safety, particularly when it comes to measuring the driver influence on risk level. It can be difficult for people to understand what is meant by this, but it means being able to measure the degree to which a driver can influence the outcome of a trip.
During any one trip, risk level is made up of exposure (the factors that can’t be changed) and driver influence (what can be changed). Where AI comes in is measuring the driver’s influence on their risk level. And distraction has a lot to do with this.
What insights can AI give about distracted driving?
AI can uncover some incredibly valuable insights into distracted driving. For example, it can measure micro-movements in driving that indicate low focus, distraction, mind-wandering, or stress. At the other extreme, it can measure bigger movements such as sudden braking or swerving, behaviors that can also be a sign of inattention or poor anticipation.
We know that distracted drivers are more likely to display behaviors such as inconsistent speed and frequent braking due to following too closely. And AI is able to recognize these behaviors and flag them as actions that influence risk level.
What can organizations do with new driver risk insights?
Distracted driving is just a small part of the picture. With new risk intelligence into crash probability, organizations can identify the factors contributing to driver risk level and quickly recognize the drivers at highest and lowest risk.
With this knowledge, and with the right tools and programs, organizations can take prompt mitigation action to prevent crashes. Being able to see why a driver is at high risk of a crash is valuable information that helps organizations prioritize training and communication for the drivers who need it most. And that includes the drivers most at risk from distracted driving.
To find out how AI can help prevent distracted driving and other risky behaviors, please get book a demo.
