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Real-world personal conversations using a hands-free embedded wireless device while driving: effect on
Richard A Young1, Christopher Schreiner
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. ryoun@med.wayne.edu
Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis
|November 13, 2008
Summary
Hands-free conversations in vehicles may not significantly increase crash risk. This study found a crash incidence rate ratio of 0.62 for personal hands-free (HFC) calls, suggesting a potentially lower risk compared to driving without calls.
Area of Science:
- Traffic Safety Research
- Human-Computer Interaction in Vehicles
- Epidemiology of Driving Behavior
Background:
- Hands-free conversation (HFC) systems are common in vehicles.
- Previous studies suggested increased crash risk with mobile phone use, including HFC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between personal hands-free conversations and airbag-deployed crashes.
- To compare crash rates during HFC use versus driving without HFC.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a database of HFC calls and airbag deployments from naturalistic driving data over 30 months.
- Calculated exposed and not-exposed incidence rates of airbag crashes per 100 million driver-minutes.
- Performed sensitivity analyses to control for confounding factors like driving time and passenger calls.
Main Results:
- The incidence rate of airbag crashes during HFC was 5.08 per 100 million driver-minutes.
- The incidence rate of airbag crashes without HFC was 8.18 per 100 million driver-minutes.
- The crash incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 0.62 (95% C.I. 0.37 to 1.05), indicating a potentially lower risk during HFC.
Conclusions:
- Personal hands-free conversations in vehicles are associated with a crash risk that may be lower than or similar to driving without recent conversation.
- Findings challenge previous epidemiological studies using the case-crossover method that reported a significant increase in crash risk.
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