Links of distracted driving with demographic indicators

Abstract

During the research, distracted driving of drivers was selected. The aim of the research was to analyse the links of distracted driving with demographic indicators. To this effect, the behaviour of 1,896 drivers was observed while they were waiting for the green light at signal-controlled intersections in various cities of Lithuania. The analysis of the research results has revealed that the time of the day and such demographic variables as the gender and place of residence have an impact on the relation of drivers with distracted driving. The research results are ambiguous and claim that every second driver observed during the research is engaged in extraneous activity while driving a car. The most commonly encountered extraneous activities are talking on and manipulation of the phone, communication with passengers, and smoking. In addition, other kinds of extraneous activities have been observed, i.e. eating/drinking, checking one’s appearance in the mirror, searching for fallen objects, cleaning the cabin, dozing off, throwing of rubbish through the window, using a computer, and etc. In conclusion, statistically significant dependencies between the types of extraneous activities and the demographic indicators of drivers as well as the time of the day have been determined.