Cellphones and Driving What’s the Problem? Cate Burant-Fernuik and Dr. Louis H. Francescutti Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving University of Alberta, School of Public Health
www.cellphonefreedriving.ca CPHA 2009 Annual Conference Winnipeg, Manitoba - June 8, 2009
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THINK! UK Road Safety Initiative
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Mother Killed by Cellphone User A careless driver on a cellphone blazed through a red light at 55 mph and the mother’s driver door as she was going 20 mph attempting to make a left turn. Her car was pushed 40 feet. The driver of the car that was hit had her neck broken in 2 places. She died instantly. www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 4
Injuries in Alberta..... ►Injuries are the leading cause of death for Albertans under the age of 44 ►In Alberta, 6 people die and 500 are injured every week in traffic collisions ►Driver error responsible for 90% of crashes - Alberta Transportation ►Cellphone use while driving is a major distraction
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Talking on the Cellphone is the Issue ► Using a cellphone while driving slows a driver’s reaction time by 18% ► Ten times less likely to make a full stop ► Cellphone use while driving either hands-free or handheld impairs driver performance
Strayer et al, Johnston WA. Driven to distraction: Dual-task studies of simulated driving and conversing on a cellular telephone. www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Psychological Science 2001; 12(6): 462-6. Page 6
Evidence from Research ►Increases risk of crashes by 4 times ►Doubles risk of rearend collisions ►Causes “Inattention blindness” ►Equivalent to driving impaired
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Rural and Urban Canada, Driver Cellphone use by Province / Territory – 2006-2007 (Transport Canada March 2008)
Percentage of Drivers Using Cellphone
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Impact of Injuries
Injuries are Expensive – Annual Costs When health care costs, property losses and other factors are considered, the economic cost of traffic collisions to Canadians is as high as $25 billion annually.
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Cellphone Fact
Cellphones are here to stay. The number of cellphone users in Canada has risen from 100,000 in 1987 to more than 14 million in 2004 The number of cellphone users in the United States has grown from fewer than 100,000 in January 1985 to an estimated 137 million in 2002. The population of cellular data users will grow from 1.8 billion in 2007 to close to 2.5 billion in 2011 worldwide.
Is Hands-Free Risk Free?
Whether hand-held or hands-free, cellphone use while driving increase the risk of collisions 4 times
Hands-Free is just as Deadly... ► Talking to a passenger does not cause the same amount of distraction as using a cellphone ► Cellphone use doubles the risk of rear-end collisions ► Using a cellphone while driving reduces visual field attention
INSERT DANGEROUS DRIVER HERE
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Distracted Driver
Texting While Driving… ► Decreases reaction time by 35% ► Increases the risk of drifting into another lane of traffic ► Presents a greater collision risk than if you were at the legal limit of alcohol or under the influence of marijuana Reed, N. and R. Robbins. The effect of text messaging on driver behavior: a simulator study. Transport www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Research Laboratory, © 2008. Page 15
Young Females
Young novice drivers are three times as likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash due to: • Inexperience • Risk-taking behavior • Risk exposure (i.e. enthusiasm for driving)
Teens Behind the Wheel Allstate survey of American Youth
► 83% of teens (90% of females) admit to talking on their cellphone while driving ► Only 43% said they were confident in their driving ability while talking on a cellphone ► 68% of teens (79% of females) admit to texting while driving ► Only 21% said they were confident in their driving ability while texting National Organization for Youth Safety. 2009 Teen Driving Survey Highlights. http://media.allstate.com/categories/7news-release-archives/releases/4510-young-drivers-understand-risky www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 18
The Ripple Effect
Employers have a Responsibility ► Employers could be liable for motor vehicle collisions involving their employees who were using cellphones while driving ► Employers have been targeted when their employees are involved in car collisions while using cellphones.
► Victims argue that employers should be liable for not taking public safety into account when encouraging and profiting from an employee’s cellphone use www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 20
Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving ► Student-led Coalition established in 2005 by graduate student’s at the University of Alberta, School of Public Health ► Founder – Dr. Louis H Francescutti ► Encourage driver’s and companies to limit use of cellphones either hand held or hands-free in vehicles ► Generic policy developed
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November 21, 2006 – Graduate students expand coalition for cellphone-free driving “A group of University of Alberta researchers and graduate students made a whirlwind tour of Alberta to mark the one-year anniversary of a program that convinces companies to keep employees cellphone-free while driving.”
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Coalition Initiatives… 2006 ► Expansion from a regional initiative to a provincial initiative by holding 9 back-to-back press events across Alberta on the same day
2007 ► Coalition makes great strides in public and industry awareness by: - Organizing high profile media events - Developing a Tool Kit for Employers - Launching a website ► Advisory Group formed by Coalition stakeholders ► Membership becomes national
2008 ► Coalition becomes international with the membership of National Safety Council ► Launched Pilot Workshop for Employers
2009 ► Students for Cellphone-Free Driving Initiative ► Workshop for Employers www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 25
for
Students Cellphone-Free Driving ► Established 2009 ► U of A medical students spreading awareness about the dangers of cellphone use while driving to youth ► Developing Curriculum and resources for high school Career and Life Management (CALM) classes, mandatory for an Alberta high school diploma ► Presentations delivered by medical students ► Creating a website for students, parents and teachers ► Plan to produce a youth targeted video ► Our goal is to empower youth to spread awareness to their peers www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 26
Our Partners…..
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Existing Stakeholders MEMBERS ► Aspen Regional Health ► Calgary Health Region ► CEDA ► Crescent Point Energy Trust ► David Thompson Health Region ► Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club ► Enform ► Finning (Canada)/Finning Cat ► Halliburton ► Hole’s Greenhouses and Gardens Ltd. ► Husky Energy ► McElhanney land Surveys Ltd. ► NAIT ► National Safety Council - USA ► Northern Lights Health Region ► Palliser Health Region ► Parkland County ► Peace Country Health ► Schlumberger ► Shippers Supply Inc. ► Sterling Crane ► ThinkFirst ► Tucker Wireline Services Canada
PARTNERS ► ► ► ► ► ►
Alberta Blue Cross Alberta Public Health Association ConocoPhillips Faculty of Nursing – University of Alberta St. John Ambulance Alberta Council University of Alberta, School of Public Health
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Some of our Donors… • • • • •
Cash Donation Website Identity Survey Tool Kit
• • • •
Decals Tool Kit Ripples Video Cash Donation
• Translated Fatal Distraction Video to French • Cash Donation
• Funding for Students for Cellphone-Free Driving • Development of PowerPoint Presentation
• Corporate Jet – Press Event on November 21, 2006 • Fatal Distraction DVD • Cash Donation
• Sponsored Workshop Speaker • Ripples Video • Cash Donation
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Education Resources ►Tool Kit for Creating a Cellphone-Free Driving Policy ►Fatal Distraction Video ►Ripples ►Tips for Driving Cellphone-Free ►Quick Facts about Cellphone Use While Driving ►Cellphones and Injuries PowerPoint Presentation ►Website – www.cellphonefreedriving.ca ►Workshop – All You Need to Know about Implementing a Cellphone-Free Driving Policy www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 30
Workshop Participants – April 17, 2008
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Challenges Our Partners Face
I’ll be less productive!
It’s more dangerous to not have a cellphone?
How do I stay in contact?
This ban will be bad for business!
What about hands-free?
Where is the evidence?
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FAQs Is hands-free better than hand-held? ►It doesn’t matter which is used, it is the conversation that creates the distraction How is having a conversation on a cellphone different than with a passenger? ►A passenger can see the traffic situation and adapt the conversation accordingly www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 34
FAQs What if there is an emergency? ►The safest thing, especially when there is an emergency, is to pull over to the side before calling 911 How do I stay in contact with my clients/family? ►Leave a voice message that you are driving ►Let them know when they can contact you/provide an alternate contact www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 35
Generic Policy Statement ► Company employees are not permitted to use an electronic interactive communication device, either hand-held or handsfree, while operating a motor vehicle on company business, and/or on company time ► While driving, calls cannot be answered and must be directed to voicemail ► If an employee must make an emergency call (911), the vehicle should be parked in a safe location before making the call ► All employees will be made aware of the company policy and will be expected to comply with it www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 36
Coalition Support ► Education Resources ► Generic Policy ► Research and Information ► Advice ► Policy Development Workshop ► Networking ► Media event support ► Policy Launch Support
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Policy Launch Support ►Media event support ►Provide resources and connections with other similar companies ►Assist companies in launching policies
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Finning (Canada) Launch
News Release
January 18, 2007
FINNING BANS CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING Joins Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving Edmonton, Alberta -- Finning (Canada) has announced that effective January 1, 2007 it prohibits employees from using any wireless communication devices either hand-held or hands-free - while operating a motor vehicle on company business. This signals a significant shift in the work practices of about 4000 Finning (Canada) and Cat Rental Store employees at 80 locations across Alberta, BC, Yukon and NWT. Communications devices covered by this policy include: hand-held and handsfree phones, BlackBerries, car phones, mobile phones, text messaging devices, pagers, two-way radios, Bluetooth enabled equipment, or other wireless devices. www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 39
Northern Lights Health Region News Release • •
October 16, 2007 Northern Lights Health Region becomes a member of the Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving
• Official announcement made at event featuring the release of a provincial opinion survey •
FORT MCMURRAY, AB – Northern Lights Health Region (NLHR) shows its commitment to health and safety and becomes a member of the Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving.
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Besides Cellphone Use, What do You Think Distracts Drivers the Most? ► Car stereo / DVD / GIS ► Children or pets ► Conversations ► Driver fatigue ► Eating or drinking ► Being emotionally upset ► Personal grooming ► Rubbernecking ► Reading ► Smoking ► Drug / alcohol ► Sex www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 41
Albertans Surveyed - 2007 •
Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving commissioned survey: – 50% admit to driving while distracted – 73% of Albertans rated cellphone use while driving as very or somewhat dangerous many drivers distracted behind the wheel – 74% supported legislation that would make it illegal to use a cellphone while driving
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Challenge Politicians! ► To show leadership ► Help set the injury agenda ► Make the tough decisions ► Allocate the resources ► Maintain the commitment
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Legislation – UPDATE! Canada: Partial Ban (Hands-held only) ►Newfoundland and Labrador – 2003 ►Nova Scotia – 2008 ►Quebec – 2008 ►Ontario – 2009 (Fall) ►Alberta – Strathcona County – September 1 2009 ►45 countries have implemented bans on cellphone use while driving www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Page 44
Enforcement ►Laws aimed at preventing injuries already exist, such as mandatory seatbelt legislation, gun control, bicycle helmets ►Why not cellphone ban while driving for all drivers?
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What Are You Doing Behind The Wheel?
What Cellphone Call is Worth a Life?
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