Assessment of the Influence of Technology-Based Distracted Driving on Drivers’ Infractions and Their Subsequent Impact on Traffic Accidents Severity

Susana García-Herrero, Juan Diego Febres, Wafa Boulagouas, José Manuel Gutiérrez and Miguel Ángel Mariscal Saldaña
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Susana García-Herrero: Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Burgos, 09006 Burgos, Spain
Juan Diego Febres: Department of Chemistry and Exact Sciences, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, 110107 Loja, Ecuador
Wafa Boulagouas: Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Burgos, 09006 Burgos, Spain
José Manuel Gutiérrez: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 39005 Santander, Spain
Miguel Ángel Mariscal Saldaña: Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Burgos, 09006 Burgos, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: Multitasking while driving negatively affects driving performance and threatens people’s lives every day. Moreover, technology-based distractions are among the top driving distractions that are proven to divert the driver’s attention away from the road and compromise their safety. This study employs recent data on road traffic accidents that occurred in Spain and uses a machine-learning algorithm to analyze, in the first place, the influence of technology-based distracted driving on drivers’ infractions considering the gender and age of the drivers and the zone and the type of vehicle. It assesses, in the second place, the impact of drivers’ infractions on the severity of traffic accidents. Findings show that (i) technology-based distractions are likely to increase the probability of committing aberrant infractions and speed infractions; (ii) technology-based distracted young drivers are more likely to speed and commit aberrant infractions; (iii) distracted motorcycles and squad riders are found more likely to speed; (iv) the probability of committing infractions by distracted drivers increases on streets and highways; and, finally, (v) drivers’ infractions lead to serious injuries.

Keywords: road traffic accidents; technology-based distractions; aberrant infractions; speed infractions; bayesian network; traffic accidents severity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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