Nashville MTA:

Distracted Driving

Bob Baulsir

Metropolitan Transit Authority

General Manager of Administration

Nashville, TN

Distracted while walking

Distracted Driving Definition

• Any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.

(Source: www.distracteddriving.gov)

Three Types of Distracted Driving

• Visual – Taking your eyes off the road

• Manual – Taking your hands off the wheel

• Cognitive – Taking your mind off what you are doing

(Source: www.distracteddriving.gov)

Examples of Distracted Driving

• Eating

• Texting

• Talking on a cell phone

• Talking to a passenger

• Reading

• Grooming(Source: www.distracteddriving.gov)

Just the Facts

• An estimated 1million people chat on their mobile or send text messages while driving

• Drivers that use cell phones are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves

(Source: NHTSA, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index (SDDI)

• In 2010, a study evaluated more than 7.5 million events recorded, involving over 20,000 commercial drivers.

• Helps understand causes and trends in commercial driving distraction.

• Analysis conducted on nine most commonly reported distractions

(Source: www.distracteddriving.gov)

2010 SmartDrive Distracted Driving Index: Q1 2010

Distraction 2010 Rate• Object in Hand 44.5%

• Talking on a Handheld Mobile Phone 13.4%

• Beverage 12.7%

• Food 10.1%

• Smoking 9.9%

• Operating a Handheld Device 9.1%

• Talking/Listening Mobile Phone – Hands Free 5.2%

• Manifest, Map or Navigation 1.0%

• Grooming/Personal Hygiene 0.6%

(Source: www.smartdrive.net/pressrelease)

2010 Distracted Driving Index Highlights

The five most common distractions, and their changes from Q1 2010 to Q2 2010

• Operating Handheld Device + 38%

• Object in Hand - 11%

• Beverage + 7%

• Talking on Mobile Phone + 27%

• Smoking + 30%

(Source: www.smartdrive.net/documents)

State Laws

• 31 states, the District of Columbia, & Guam ban text messaging for all drivers. Twelve of these laws were enacted in 2010 alone.

(Source: distraction.gov)

• Primary Laws for Tennessee

– Proposed ban on all cell phone use for bus drivers

– Ban on all cell phone use for novice drivers

– Ban on texting for all drivers

(Source: distraction.gov)

MTA Policy

• Zero Tolerance Cell Phone

– Implemented on November 2009

• Use of any hand held electronic, including

radio hand-set, by any employee operating a revenue vehicle is in motion is strictly prohibited

• Violation will result in termination of employment

• All drivers are encouraged to place hand held device in Phone Blox when entering the vehicle.

Phone Blox- How does it work?

• A device engineered to restrict cell phones and the distractions they cause

– Designed to keep the focus of the driver on the road

– Once in Phone Blox, cellular device is unable to receive or send calls.

– When vehicle is at complete stop and engine is turned off, Phone Blox unlocks, thereby enabling driver to remove their phone(s)

Phone Blox

Phone Blox installed on dashboard

Phone Blox activates when engine starts –Green light turns on

Back image: secured by cable wire

MTA Training Program

• All new operators receive defensive driving course for 8 hours.

• Operators receive 4 hrs. refresher classroom defensive driving course once a year on anniversary start date

• Operators receive 4 hrs. refresher live behind the wheel course

• Pass written defensive driving test

Other Safety Standards

• Cameras installed on all buses

(3 to 6 cameras per bus)

• Sticker placed in all buses

“Please do no distract drivers when

bus is moving. Safe operation requires their full attention.”

“Do not distract drivers” sticker

Result

• Safety Statistics:

–Zero distracted driving related accidents

Summary

• Drivers who engage in phone conversations while driving have been found to have slower braking reaction time, degraded steering performance, and to have accidents with higher likelihood than drivers piloting cars without phone conversations. The common solution of mandating that calls be made in a hands-free manner while driving, has not been found to improve safety.

(source: research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/horvitz/proactive_mediation.pdf)

California Institute of Technolgy

Summary

• Know your state laws on distracted driving

• Implement a policy

• Communicate the importance of policy to employees

• Set a standard

• Follow through the policy

Questions?

Contact Information

• Ginny Foster(314) 960-1645gfoster@redlineelectronics.com

• Electrical Engineering studentParks College of Engineering, Aviation, and TechnologySaint Louis University3450 Lindell BoulevardSt. Louis, Missouri 63103

• Bob Baulsir

• Robert.baulsir@nashville.gov

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