An Investigation of Distraction Factors on Road Safety

Driver distraction is a growing problem, as it seems to be an important cause for several road accidents. This study was conducted with the aim to look into the contributory factors that may cause a driver’s distraction, some of which are the use of mobile devices, fatigue of the driver, consumption of food and beverages and smoking while driving. In this paper, we report on the findings of an online questionnaire survey in which 1214 Greek drivers willingly participated in a study that aspired to unveil drivers’ perspective on their own driving habits. The data collection tool was a questionnaire consisted of 27 questions and divided into seven parts. The first questions referred to participants’ profile such as gender, age, educational level and years of holding a driving license. The next questions focused on participants’ mobile phone use in their everyday activities and mobile phones use while driving, and on participants’ consumption of food, beverages and smoking during driving. Further questions examined driver’s fatigue and its frequency, the impact of driving with passengers in the vehicle and the extent to which the interaction with them affects a driver’s attention. Finally, participants were asked to grade their personal and other drivers driving skills and behavior. This survey can contribute to the improvement of road safety, as the findings help us quantify the negative effects of drivers’ habits that contribute to distracted driving and supports that the drivers should be better trained and authorities should pay more attention in this situation.