Scoping Study of Driver Distraction

Driver distraction is an increasing phenomenon which is not completely understood.
This report was commissioned to understand the state of knowledge on driver distraction and lay some groundwork for future distraction research efforts, with the
strategic aim of improving safety through policy interventions.

The main objectives of the project were:
• To prepare a definition of driver distraction and secure at least UK agreement on
its adoption;
• To summarise and critically review research on driver distraction from sources
both within and outside the vehicle and to identify gaps in knowledge;
• To provide recommendations for future research and for monitoring changes in
the impact of driver distraction.

A core and wider reference group of scientists who are research-active in the area of
driver distraction were identified at the beginning of the project to review the work
and participate in workshops. A distraction definition discussion document was then
produced, along with a distraction review document. These were circulated among the reference groups and discussed during two workshops.

A distraction review was compiled to provide some background information and references on humans as information processors, the concept of attention, theories
of driving, and metrics and methods used to assess distracted driving performance.
The review then broadly categorises observation-based, experimental and opinionbased research.