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

  • Taking responsibility could cut crashes
    December 23, 2015
    In discussing road safety, the same issues tend to crop up time and time again. Technology is often seen as a major way forward for cutting the death toll. This ignores the fact that many drivers simply use their vehicles to the limits of their capabilities and that cars with ABS or ETSC for example are simply driven faster and with less regard for other road users or the surrounding road environment.
  • Roads for the future
    July 31, 2012
    Speakers at the 3rd European Road Congress looked at ways of preparing infrastructure to cater for future demands. Patrick Smith reports Road accidents in Europe can be reduced substantially, but vehicles will have to make more use of technology, and they will cost more. The problems will not be made any easier with the knowledge that road transport is set to double between 2040 and 2050. These were just some of the forecasts made at the 3rd European Road Congress, held in Brussels, Belgium, a key road sect
  • Concern at worsening road safety worldwide
    May 22, 2019
    The latest road safety data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) provides a serious cause for concern. The annual global road fatality rate has increased in the three years since the WHO last carried out a study of worldwide crash statistics. The report says that 1.35 million people are now killed on the world’s roads every year, compared with a figure of 1.25 million three years ago. The problem is particularly acute in the developing world, where increasing vehicle numbers combine with poor levels
  • Poor road safety worldwide poses a cause for concern
    December 7, 2018
    Poor road safety worldwide is a serious cause for concern, with thousands being injured or killed across the glove every single day. The issue is highlighted by a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This indicates road traffic deaths continue to rise, with annual road fatalities now reaching 1.35 million, compared with 1.25 million just three years ago. The WHO Global status report on road safety 2018 highlights that road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of children and young peo