Skip to main content

Driver distraction is a road safety risk

Driver distraction is an increasing concern for the road safety sector. According to the FIA Region 2 (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), a distraction time of just two seconds is sufficient to cause a crash. The FIA’s data suggests that to 25% of road crashes are due to distraction, with 25-30% of total driving time spent on distracting activities. Commissioner Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport, recently warned against distraction caused by the use of mobile phone. She said, “Distraction
September 12, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Driver distraction is an increasing concern for the road safety sector. According to the FIA Region 2 (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), a distraction time of just two seconds is sufficient to cause a crash. The FIA’s data suggests that to 25% of road crashes are due to distraction, with 25-30% of total driving time spent on distracting activities.

Commissioner Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport, recently warned against distraction caused by the use of mobile phone. She said, “Distraction from mobile devices has become one of the top crash factors. Reports show it has even overtaken speed and alcohol as the highest risk factors.”

She recognised the value of the 2seconds campaign in raising awareness of the risk of distraction among road users: “Technology can help, and the EU is making sure that everyone benefits from it: making driver drowsiness and distraction warning systems mandatory for all cars in its new vehicle safety legislation. But this can only be an assistance to drivers. It is crucial that all road users are aware of the high risks of even short spans of inattention. This is why I fully support the 2seconds campaign. To achieve zero road deaths by 2050 in the EU, we need to do everything we can – together.”

With the #2seconds campaign, 8055 FIA Region I and our national member Clubs are raising awareness on distraction, stressing that even very short lapses of attention can have dramatic and even fatal consequences.

If motorists are not trained on new in-vehicle safety technologies proper use, they can also become a source of distraction.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • The importance of road maintenance
    July 15, 2015
    Gülay Malkoc discusses the importance of investing in road maintenance.
  • The risk of drugged driving on Europe’s roads
    May 1, 2018
    Drivers under the influence of drugs present a major hazard to road safety, according to a new report by the pan-European police agency TISPOL The risk from driving under the influence of psycho-active drugs results in road fatalities and injuries from crashes right across Europe, according to the report. The problem relates to both legal prescription medication as well as illegal drugs, notes TISPOL – European Traffic Police Network – which was established by the traffic police forces of Europe to impro
  • Improved vehicle safety for Europe
    February 26, 2019
    Measures to improve vehicle safety are being planned for Europe. A new report on vehicle safety has now been adopted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). The report has been advocated by FIA Region I and sets an ambitious approach to road safety. The report sets out plans on introducing improvements for both active and passive in-vehicle safety. These proven safety technologies should be introduced as standard for all vehicles, according to the report. T
  • ERF calls for roads maintenance funding
    February 19, 2014
    On 27 November, six key stakeholders sounded an alarm bell to Member States urging them to stick to their pledges made at the International Transport Forum meeting in May 2013, where Ministers signed a joint declaration on Sustainable Infrastructure Financing On the occasion of the launch the latest consultation paper on ‘Roads that Cars can Read’, The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), t