Risk Analysis of Drivers’ Distraction: Effect of Navigation Tools

Abstract

Road users’ characteristics are amongst the leading causes of traffic fatalities, leading to reduced levels of traffic safety. There are numerous characteristics of road users, yet, two of these characteristics standout, these include the visual acuity factor and the reaction process. There are various factors that contribute to the delay time and reaction process of drivers, and among these are the non-driving-related activities such as adjusting the stereo, environmental controls, conversing with passengers, using a cell phone, searching for street addresses, looking at/for a building…etc. However, there is not a lot of research on non-driving activities such as the use of navigation tools in the form of Global Positioning System (GPS) and navigation phone applications while driving. Through multiple data collection approaches, this study attempts to highlight the effect of navigation tools and risks involved when used while driving. Subsequently answering these questions on the drivers’ reaction process; (i) Can navigation tools be classified as non-driving activities, (ii) Do navigation tools influence drivers’ reaction and decision time and (iii) What are the possible remedies if it affects drivers’ decision time. The findings of the study highlight the risk, the impact of navigation tools on drivers’ behaviour, its influence on traffic crashes and propose the possible countermeasures to this effect.