Engineering can't overcome Human Factors on the Road
Posted on Mon, Apr 05, 2010 @ 08:12 AM
Have you noticed the proliferation of engineering options in vehicles today? Lane divergence warning systems alert you if you drift out of your lane. Automatic braking systems slow or stop your vehicle if the vehicle ahead slows or you overtake it too fast.
More and more drivers today are coming to depend on systems to prevent accidents. What’s behind manufacturers developing and offering these systems? Inattentiveness! Distracted driving! Systems are offered to compensate for the lack of good, safe driving habits.
We know from countless studies that human factors are responsible for the vast majority of accidents, in fact nearly 100% of them. Speeding has long been identified as the #1 cause. Distracted driving, such as texting and dialing/talking on cell phones, is quickly being recognized as another leading human factor.
Driving today requires 100% of the drivers’ attention. We can’t rely on systems to compensate for bad driving habits and unsafe behaviors. We need to refocus on driving as our only task when behind the wheel. Multi-tasking has no place on the road.
Interestingly enough, when I talk to drivers about distracted driving, many believe they can talk on their cell phone without it affecting their driving. They may recognize and acknowledge the problem in others but honestly believe it doesn’t affect them. This denial is a dangerous conundrum.
Distracted driving, just like speeding, puts everyone on the road at risk. If only the perpetrator were injured or killed in a resulting crash we might be able to accept the phenomena but all too often it’s innocent people who pay the price. These are not victimless violations.
Professional drivers owe an extra burden of care to other motorists. Heavy trucks pose a greater risk of causing serious injury or death when involved in a crash with smaller, lighter passenger vehicles.
Drivers cause crashes and only safe, professional, attentive drivers can avoid them. We can’t and shouldn’t rely on systems to prevent crashes. Just as is the case with the gun control controversy… vehicles don’t kill people… distracted drivers kill people. Human factors can not be overlooked and can not be fully compensated for by systems.
Let’s all resolve not to drive distracted. Let’s resolve to be “unavailable” to others when we’re driving. Let’s resolve that no phone call, no text message is so important as to put a life at risk- yours or someone with whom you share the roads.
Posted by Kevin Mullen- Director, Safety