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Associations between driving performance and engaging in secondary tasks: a systematic review
Alva O Ferdinand1, Nir Menachemi
1At the time of this work, Alva O. Ferdinand and Nir Menachemi were with the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
American Journal of Public Health
|January 18, 2014
Summary
Engaging in secondary tasks while driving significantly impairs performance, with 80% of studies finding a detrimental effect. Experimental designs are less likely to show this impact, unlike mobile phone use.
Area of Science:
- Human Factors
- Transportation Safety
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Distracted driving is a major cause of road accidents.
- Secondary tasks, such as mobile phone use, are common while driving.
- Understanding the impact of these tasks on driving is crucial for safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the literature on secondary tasks and driving performance.
- To identify factors associated with a detrimental relationship between secondary tasks and driving.
- To inform policy on distracted driving.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 206 empirical articles (1968-2012).
- Logistic regression model developed to identify correlates of detrimental effects.
- Data extracted from 350 analyses.
Main Results:
- 80% of analyses reported a detrimental relationship between secondary tasks and driving performance.
- Experimental designs were 37% less likely to report detrimental effects (P=.014).
- Mobile phone use while driving was 16% more likely to show detrimental effects (P=.009).
Conclusions:
- Quasi-experimental designs may better reveal the impact of secondary tasks on driving.
- Findings can inform policymakers aiming to reduce distracted driving.
- Enhanced understanding can improve roadway safety.
