Distracted driving is an inescapable issue for everyone on the road. While safety policies are effective, the industry is turning to technology to help combat it.

Often, people think of driving distractions as anything that can take attention away from the road. Applying makeup, texting, and even eating an involved meal are all examples of dangerous driving behaviors. Perhaps this is too wide a scope. Research shows that some activities pose no danger at all to driving. 

Humans’ undivided attention can only last for 20 minutes at a time – at most. Talking and listening on a phone or radio are examples of safe secondary activities a driver can engage in while on the road with proper protocols followed.

Preforming demanding tasks while behind the wheel, however, can lead to a dangerous situation for drivers and those around them. This often leads to inattention blindness, delayed reaction times, and impaired performance. Distracted drivers have trouble maintaining speed and following distance, as well as swerving between lanes.

These are obviously dangerous results to unsafe behaviors. Visually demanding tasks include texting, dialing a phone, and reaching for something on an adjacent seat. State and federal laws are trying to take on this battle alone. It seems companies have to take a stand before real change can happen. 

“State laws about cell phone usage have no impact on driver behavior. When fleets have a policy, however, drivers are 17% less likely to use electronic devices. You need a fleet policy—they’re very important,” said Jeffrey Hickman of Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Be the change

American Central Transport (ACT) is just one company that is committed to keeping its drivers and those around them safe. Quarterly, the company releases safety campaigns via mailed letters to family members, flyers, online videos, and messages up in the office. Because of this, family members know to ask if drivers are safe to talk and hands-free before jumping into conversation while their loved one is on the road.

Beyond this, ACT utilizes audible in-cab alerts for lane departures and following distances. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine vision (MV) can read and interpret real-time risks, such as following distance, traffic signs, and traffic signals. Drivers receive recognition for preventing accidents and incidents.