SmartDrive Study Reveals Drivers Are Distracted 79% of Time During Risky Driving Maneuvers

SAN DIEGO April 23,2013; SmartDrive Systems, a leader in driving performance solutions that reduce collisions and improve fuel efficiency, today announced initial results of the SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index study, which explores the distracted driving rate of commercial fleets.

Released during the National Safety Council's Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the study concluded that the top five percent of commercial vehicle drivers are distracted 79% of the time during risky driving maneuvers. That's nearly six times more often than the rest of the drivers.

The SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index study summarizes the 2012 performance of commercial drivers observed during a benchmark period prior to and after starting the SmartDrive Safety program. This study provides commercial fleets with an ongoing measurement of causes and trends in distracted driving behaviors to help improve driving performance and skills, helping drivers to be safer on the road. The study compiles information from the in-vehicle, video event recorders that capture video, audio and vehicle data during sudden stops, swerves, collisions and other risky driving maneuvers. These events are analyzed, categorized and scored according to 70+ safety observations.

The SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index study evaluated more than 15.1 million video events recorded over the course of 2012. Through in-depth review and analysis by SmartDrive Expert Safety Analysts, SmartDrive is able to quantify distractions such as mobile phone usage; texting as well as talking, eating, drinking, doing paperwork, personal hygiene and other personal activities. The percentages reflect how often a distraction was observed when a risky driving maneuver was recorded.

Top distracted drivers used mobile phones 29 times more than the rest.

Of the most distracted drivers observed, the study found that mobile phone usage continues to be a top distraction at 27%, which includes handsfree talking, handheld talking and texting. According to the National Safety Council 23% of all collisions in 2011 involved mobile phone usage, resulting in 1.3 million collisions.

In addition, object in hand, which includes manipulation of objects, searching for objects, personal grooming, and others, is also particularly risky and a more common distraction compared to the others.

The study also found that top distracted commercial drivers were talking on mobile phones 29 times more than the rest of the drivers as well as 19 times more texting than the rest of the drivers. This shows a habitual pattern with top distracted drivers leading to risky driving behaviors.

Over 30% of Distracted Drivers Were Eating and Drinking while Speeding

Mobile phone usage is the single most common distraction of all drivers during speeding at 25%. Object in hand at 27% shows similar behavior pattern we've observed with mobile phone usage --- that manipulating an object while driving continues to be the biggest cause of distractions. Interestingly, when food and beverages are combined, it represented 34% of the most common distractions during speeding of all drivers.

"This study showcases the cause of distracted driving which applies not only to commercial drivers but to the motoring public," said Steve Mitgang, CEO, SmartDrive. “SmartDrive looks at this study as an opportunity for fleet managers and drivers alike to take note of exactly what is causing the distractions and then we help them evaluate the best steps to decrease those distractions; thereby create a safer, and ultimately, more profitable operation.�??

See us at the RIMS Conference at the L.A. Convention Center (booth# 403) on April 22-24, NAFA Institute and Expo (booth# 322) from April 23-26 in Atlantic City, NJ, or the upcoming NPTC 2013 Education Management Conference & Exhibition (booth# 636) from April 28-30, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

About SmartDrive Systems

SmartDrive Systems gives fleets and drivers unprecedented driving performance insight and analysis, helping save fuel, expenses and lives. Its video analysis, predictive analytics and personalized performance program help fleets improve driving skills, lower operating costs and deliver significant ROI. With an easy-to-use managed service, fleets and drivers can access and self-manage driving performance anytime, anywhere. The company has compiled the world's largest storehouse of more than 61 million analyzed risky-driving events. SmartDrive Systems is based in San Diego, CA, and employs over 400 people worldwide.