Driver distraction is dangerous. Many of the current activities to address the issue in Australia and New Zealand are centred around mobile phone use. However, there are other significant distractions for drivers and driver distraction is more than just a behavioural issue.
Driver distraction occurs because of a complex interaction of interrelated elements within the road traffic system, as well as social and psychological issues beyond the road traffic system. Fewer distraction-related fatalities and injuries are achievable through a more forgiving road environment, improved active and passive vehicle technology, and better speed management. This Austroads project takes an in-depth and nuanced perspective focusing on reducing driver distraction.
This page offers comprehensive information on Austroads’ efforts to combat distracted driving. This work is done under the Road Safety and Design Program.
Austroads Project SAG6417 National Roadmap on Driver Distraction Stage 3: Implementation Governance and Delivery
In 2019, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Federal Government jointly published a National Roadmap on Driver Distraction. Implementing this roadmap is a commitment in Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030.
In support of this implementation, Austroads is taking the lead by preparing an implementation guide that will apply to all Austroads member agencies in Australia and New Zealand.
What will this project develop in 2024-2025?
This initiative seeks to develop a standardised national definition for driver distraction to integrate into police crash report coding. The project will also support training for law enforcement personnel to better recognise and document instances of distracted driving leading to road traffic crashes.
This initiative seeks to develop design focused guidance on in-vehicle human-machine interaction, and on integrating human factors analysis in the road traffic system, to prevent and mitigate driver distraction.
What has been completed so far?
The Implementation Guide illustrates, from a systems perspective and partnership approach, how parties interested in reducing driver distraction can support the implementation of the roadmap.
The guide comprises seven sections that lay out the steps which any concerned individual or organisation can adopt to address the issue of distracted driving in line with the Driver Distraction Roadmap.
| This Guide | Your Approach |
|---|---|
| The Problem | Orient Consider the core issues, and how your organisation can make a meaningful impact on the driver distraction problem. |
| Current State | Familiarise Familiarise yourself with the major development programs that are underway and the potential impact they can have. |
| Forward Work Program | Align Systematically review the Forward Work Program agreed by stakeholders and how your organisation’s effort can align with one or more elements. |
| Implementation Partner | Engage Discuss the issue with potential partners including how your interests and responsibilities in distraction prevention coincide and present opportunities. |
| Implementation Mechanism | Design Identify the best means of achieving the change that you want to see, in line with good practice injury prevention principles and current state issues. |
| Ongoing Implementation | Deliver Develop and implement systems to sustain this activity over time, recognising the seemingly intractable nature of the driver distraction problem. |
| Good Practice | Learn Retain a focus on learning from and collaborating with others working in the field, and sharing ideas and information. |
The work program identifies 31 high value research and development projects across nine domains that have the capacity to contribute significantly to the reduction of driver distraction, as outlined in the table below:
| Domains | Options |
|---|---|
| Design | Develop design principles, guidelines, and standards to facilitate safer interactions between drivers, technology, vehicles, and roads. |
| Mitigation | Increase the availability and implementation of in-vehicle distraction mitigation technology. |
| Workplace | Work with employers and workplace health and safety regulators to improve organisational approaches to driver distraction. |
| Compliance | Strengthen existing compliance mechanisms through improved rules, detection, and evaluation. |
| Behaviour | Shift driver behaviour through innovative campaigns and educational strategies. |
| Systems | Develop a systematic and ongoing response which engages more parties in the issue. |
| Communications | Implement good practice road safety communications. |
| Engagement | Implement engage mechanisms that bring many parties together to address the issue. |
| Evaluation | Nourish an ongoing effort to learn more about the issue and what needs to be done. |
What's next?
A ten-year plan is being mapped out to prioritise the dozens of projects outlined in the forward work program. This work is being carried out in consultation with road safety and driver distraction experts. Check back soon for the long-term plan.
Webinar
Watch a webinar recording on the guide, the first projects being prepared, and encourage further discussion and ongoing engagement about this important road safety issue.
