SmartDrive Introduces the SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index, a Quarterly Benchmark of the Causes and Rate of Commercial Driver Distraction
Enhancements to the SmartDrive Measured Safety Program to further identify, segment, and quantify sources of driver distraction, including text messaging
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- SmartDrive Systems, a leader in fleet safety and operational efficiency, today introduced the SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index, a quarterly benchmark of commercial fleet driving distraction, providing fleet safety professionals with a way to measure ongoing cause, effect, and change in driving distraction so they can effectively work with their drivers to improve safety.
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The SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index evaluates more than 25,000 commercial drivers, gauging distraction as a percentage of total measured driving time. For Q3, 2009, the SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index shows:
-- Distraction Rate = 17.9% (down from 19.3% in Q209)
-- Top 5 distractions and percentage of driving time being exhibited:
-- Talking/Listening on Mobile Phone - Handheld= 4.5%
-- Smoking= 2.7%
-- Beverage= 2.5%
-- Object in Hand= 2.4%
-- Food= 2.0%
The next update to the Index will be published at the end of Q4 2009, and will highlight changes in percentage and cause of driver distraction.
The SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index evaluates video records for sources of distractions that can't be quantified by non-video approaches, such as cell phone usage, text messaging, use of maps or navigation, eating/drinking/smoking, or any other distraction resulting in drivers taking their eyes off the road for more than 2 consecutive seconds, or having their hands engaged with something other than driving for more than 3 consecutive seconds.
The true impact of distracted driving is much higher than the percentage of distraction alone indicates. Yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in his opening remarks to the first Distracted Driving Summit, called distracted driving "a menace to society, and an epidemic in this country." According to the National Transportation Safety Board, distraction was a factor in 16% of all road deaths in 2008, up from 12% in 2007. Furthermore, a June 2009 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) and the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) demonstrated a multiplier effect for the likelihood of collision from different distractions ranging from 6X for dialing a cell phone to 23X for text messaging. Thus, reductions in driver distraction can have a significant impact on the frequency and severity of collisions involving commercial vehicles.
Fleets who actively use the SmartDrive Measured Safety Program to coach their drivers to a higher-level of safety performance see dramatic decreases in distraction rates. Through Q3, SmartDrive customers show an overall distraction rate of 7.2%, a 62% reduction from the 17.9% benchmark index.
Because text messaging has such a dramatic multiplier effect, SmartDrive will immediately begin to monitor and quantify text messaging behavior separately from other mobile phone usage, providing even greater accuracy in the Index moving forward as to the true impact that text messaging has on driving distraction and safety.
"The Distracted Driving Index is a way for SmartDrive to contribute to the ongoing dialogue and action plan regarding the causes and impacts of commercial driving distraction," said Greg Drew, President and CEO of SmartDrive Systems. "Our sincere hope is that safety professionals will leverage the Index to address distracted driving with their drivers until the problem has been eliminated."
About SmartDrive Systems
SmartDrive delivers groundbreaking solutions that make it easy for fleet managers to gain visibility and take control--dramatically improving driver safety and fueling operational savings. SmartDrive records comprehensive video-based data from the road, then thoroughly reviews and scores critical events and recommends action for fleet managers to quickly respond and deliver sustainable savings - all through an easy-to-use managed service. SmartDrive Systems is based in San Diego, and employs approximately 300 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.smartdrive.net.
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