THE EFFECTS OF MOBILE PHONE USE ON TRAFFIC SAFETY

Abstract

With the expansion of offered content and applications in mobile phones, the risk of using mobile phones while driving increases. This problem is getting more and more important worldwide. Nowadays, increasing attention is being paid to traffic safety indicators as it has been proven that there is a strong correlation between the consequences of traffic accidents and traffic safety indicators. One of these indicators is the mobile phone use while driving. Operating vehicles require drivers' full attention. Therefore, the use of a mobile phone while driving is a major problem. Using a mobile phone draws driver's attention and causes behavioral changes that negatively affect the traffic safety. The use of mobile phones while driving is an ongoing problem of traffic safety and is associated with an increased risk of participation in traffic accidents. In addition to the harmful effects from the medical aspect, one of the more important negative effects of the mobile phone is the negative impact on traffic participants. The negative impact of the phone on traffic safety is reflected in the fact that their use while driving hinders the driver's attention. Even with automated actions, the degree of event detection is severely reduced. The degree of impact of mobile phone use on driving performance depends on the moment and situation at that moment. The commitment to the conversation is yet another factor that affects the driving quality. The combination of these two factors can have extremely damaging effects on driving. The phones can distract the driver's attention in three ways: while the driver is looking for the phone, takes the phone to receive or make a call, or writes or reads the message. In these situations, he cannot properly hold the steering wheel or gearbox – hence is not fully aware of the road nor traffic around, and cannot fully control the vehicle. If speaking, the driver is not fully focused on driving because tracking conversations diminishes the attention and perception of traffic around. This problem has been recognized long time ago worldwide, and many studies have been conducted on a given subject which have been influencing drivers to reduce the need for mobile phones. There are many approaches and various measures that can be taken: preventing and educating participants in traffic about the negative effects of the mobile phone use while driving, campaigning, repressive and coercion measures, applying new technologies . . . Accepting the right behavior is the key to solving the problem, since it is impossible to sanction everyone at any given time. Drivers need to understand that mobile phone usage threatens their safety, as well as of other participants in the traffic.