Distracted Drivers 2025
Hosted by Dr. Timothy Wright
Dr. Timothy Wright, Principal Research Associate at Dunlap & Associates, Inc. holds MS and PhD degrees in Cognitive Psychology from Florida State University. Dr. Wright’s research interests span domains of attention, distracted driving, vulnerable road users, and transportation safety generally. Throughout his nearly 10-year career, he has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on projects that together represent over 6 million dollars. These projects involved the development and implementation of a variety of different approaches both in the laboratory and the field. These projects included demonstration programs, literature reviews, and field studies exploring factors related to the safety of both passenger vehicle drivers and pedestrians/bicyclists. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was appointed to the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on Simulation and Measurement of Vehicle and Operator Performance and elected the Vice President and subsequently President of the New England Chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
Driving Distracted after Cannabis Use
Dr. Timothy Brown
Increased prevalence of decriminalization of cannabis around the country combined with self-reported driving within 2-hours of cannabis use, raises concerns about traffic-safety. Many users of cannabis self-report that they experience no impact on driving performance despite research showing degraded lane keeping, particularly for occasional users. Drivers also continue to engage in tasks while driving that take the drivers eyes and attention off the roadway. The impact on safety when operating a motor vehicle after using cannabis while engaged in secondary tasks is not well understood. A study exploring the impact of different cannabis use patterns while engaged in a series of secondary tasks on infotainment system in a simulator was explored before and after using cannabis and compared to non-users. Results show similar engagement patterns in terms of time and gaze focus with the tasks between cannabis use groups but that there are differences in lateral and longitudinal vehicle control while engaged in distracting tasks. The greater reduction in speed by occasional flower users points to potential attempts for them to mitigate the effects of cannabis use in contrast with other users. This points to potential concerns for daily users who engage in distraction tasks while their ability to respond to unanticipated events is degraded.
Risky Business: Predicting Danger Before It Hits the Road
Dr. Alexander Kerin
This presentation unpacks how the insurance industry has transformed safety by harnessing behavioral risk data to predict and prevent accidents. By identifying patterns like speeding, distraction, and sudden braking, insurers have pioneered a proactive approach to managing risk. We explore how these groundbreaking methods can be adapted to public policy, shifting road safety from reactive crash response to forward-thinking prevention.
Advanced Driver Monitoring System for Distracted Driving
Mr. Nathan Inman
Geotab is the largest telematics company in the world with almost 5 million devices installed globally. Having such a large customer base allows Geotab to release features that affect the greater population, such as distracted driving. This presentation focuses on how enabling Geotab to allow in-cab coaching along with other tools like a Surfsight camera, can enhance driver safety and minimize distracted driving. Also, we will cover the basics of Geotab telematics and how it can affect change in a positive manner for businesses and consumers.
Coaching and Feedback Mechanisms
Mr. Alexander Lewis
This presentation explores the psychological phenomenon of habituation, explaining how repeated exposure to driving can lead to drivers feeling overly confident in their abilities. This false sense of competence often results in riskier driving behavior, as drivers become less vigilant and more prone to mistakes. Over time, this habituation can significantly compromise road safety. The presentation introduces Surfsight, a cutting-edge, innovative in-cab coaching dash camera designed to combat this issue. By providing real-time feedback and performance insights, Surfsight helps drivers recognize their unsafe habits, encouraging safer driving practices and improving overall road safety. The presentation emphasizes how this technology serves as a valuable tool in correcting the overconfidence and ensuring our people and possessions reach their destinations safely.