ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE DRIVER’S ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING Maja Toš Ivana Krijan

Contents Introduction Analysis of the problem with driver’s negligence Analysis of American Study ‘100 – Car Study on Inattention’ Results of the cause of driver’s inattention inside and outside of the vehicle Conclusion

Introduction The influences that interfere driver’s attention while driving are numerous. Conversation with other passengers in the vehicle, landscape, advertising are just some of the factors that divert the driver's attention and thus increase response time. Besides these factors, the introduction of new technology in vehicles, it is also disrupting the attention of drivers. Research shows that factors that influence driver’s attention directly affect traffic accidents or traffic safety.

Analysis of the problem with driver’s negligence The most common cause of accidents is late recognition of danger and wrong decision how to react when danger appears. Inattention and internal confusion are ranked high as a cause of accidents. The sum of the percentages of the two categories of causes was 15.5% in reality 24% as the probability that these two factors to be the cause of traffic accidents. One of the difficulties of determining the size of the problem of inattention of drivers is that the police is not trying or can not identify the driver's negligence or internal confusion as a cause of traffic accidents.

The cause of inattention in percent for the period from 1995th to 1999th and from 2000th to 2003rd Cause of inattention A person, object or event from the environment (eg another vehicle, animals, people on the road etc) 29,423,7 Adjusting radio / CD player / navigation system 11,42,92,9 The other passengers in the vehicle (eg talk, fight, calming children) 10,920,8 Moving objects in the vehicle (eg insects, animals) 4,34,33,7 Other devices / objects (such as a bag, a bottle of water) 2,95,2 Adjusting the vehicle (seat, mirrors) / Climate Control 2,81,5 Consuming foods and / or beverages 1,72,8 Conversation on mobile phone / listening to mobile phone caller / dialing numbers to call 1,53,6 Cigarettes (searching for cigarettes/lighter in vehicle, leaving cigarette) 0,91,0 Other disturbances (medical interference, influence of alcohol, the influence of drugs, depression) 25,634,8 Unknown factors which influenced the drivers' attention 8,6

Analysis of American Study ‘100 – Car Study on Inattention’ Inattention is divided into three categories. These three categories are defined by the complexity of the task to be performed and how distracts the driver's attention from driving. First category was to easily perform tasks that divert attention, such as adjustment the radio volume. The second category draws more attention than the first category, and includes talking on a cell phone, removing/placing the CD in the CD player etc. The third category distracts the maximum attention of drivers, it includes dialing numbers on cell phone, reading while driving, reaching for an object in motion. Young drivers, in the age group of years are more negligent than any other age group of drivers and their attention very quickly focus on something else. A group of young drivers for this reason it would be necessary to additionally educate.

Key results Various new technologies have already been implemented in the vehicle or adapted for fast and easy implementation in the vehicle. Among them are CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, navigation devices and many others. All these devices, or new technologies can affect driver distraction from driving, thus affecting traffic safety. The ratio of telematic types distraction and other distractions such as eating food or drinking while driving, is very small. The impact of new technology to the driver’s attention as the cause of traffic accidents is one percent, but it will certainly grow in the future. The current review of the impact of new technology to the attention of the driver is not comprehensive and need more and better research.

Discussion For all these reasons it is necessary to educate drivers, particularly young people, to prioritize driving, and it is primarily their own safety and the safety of other road users. Driver distraction reduces traffic safety and endangers their own lives and the lives of other road users. Visual mess can affect the driver so he will not notice the important traffic information and thereby reduce safety in road traffic. The efficiency of searching traffic sign in a visual mess was lower among older drivers. Older drivers have made more mistakes, they reacted slowly and are more focused on the non- traffic information. It is important to do: study in local community based on driver’s attention and educate drivers.

Conclusion This paper shows what is attention or inattention of drivers, and why, when, how and where inattention appears. Driver's attention is influenced by various factors inside and outside of vehicle. Regardless of the numerous warnings about the risk of cell phone use while driving, most drivers are still ignoring advice and using cell phones while driving endanger themselves and other road users, thereby affecting safety. Young drivers are the most vulnerable road users when it comes to distraction, because their attention is easily engross by other things in the environment that have nothing to do with traffic.

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