Examining teen driver crashes and the prevalence of distraction: Recent trends, 2007–2015

Abstract

IntroductionTeen drivers crash at a much higher rate than adult drivers, with distractions found as a factor in nearly 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. As the driving environment continues to rapidly evolve, it is important to examine the effect these changes may be having on our youngest and most vulnerable drivers. MethodThe purpose of this study was to identify types of vehicle crashes teens are most frequently involved in, as well as the distracting activities being engaged in leading up to these crashes, with a focus on identifying changes or trends over time. We examined 2,229 naturalistic driving videos involving drivers ages 16–19. These videos captured crashes occurring between 2007 and 2015. The data of interest for this study included crash type, behaviors drivers engaged in leading up to the collision, total duration of time the driver's eyes were off the forward roadway, and duration of the longest glance away from forward. ResultsRear-end crashes increased significantly (annual % change=3.23 [2.40–4.05]), corresponding with national data trends. Among cell phone related crashes, a significant shift occurred, from talking/listening to operating/looking (annual % change=4.22 [1.15–7.29]). Among rear-end crashes, there was an increase in the time drivers' eyes were off the road (β=0.1527, P=0.0004) and durations of longest glances away (β=0.1020, P=0.0014). ConclusionsFindings suggest that shifts in the way cell phones are being used, from talking/listening to operating/looking, may be a cause of the increasing number of rear-end crashes for teen drivers. Practical applicationsUnderstanding the role that cell phone use plays in teen driver crashes is extremely important. Knowing how and when teens are engaging in this behavior is the only way effective technologies can be developed for mitigating these crashes.