What has analysis of accident data shown about the role of ...

[Deast7027]

What has analysis of accident data shown about the role of attention and distraction in motor vehicle crashes?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Identify and discuss at least three factors that influence our ability to pay attention.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[Anton]

Answer to Question 1

A study of 2,700 crashes in the state of Virginia between June and November 2002 investigated causes of accidents (Warner, 2004). Following are some of the main factors that resulted in accidents, with the percentage of accidents for which each was responsible:
 Rubbernecking (viewing accidents that have already occurred), 16
 Driver fatigue, 12
 Looking at scenery or landmarks, 10
 Distractions caused by passengers or children, 9
 Adjusting a radio or other media player, 7
 Cell phone use, 5

On average, distractions occurring inside the vehicle accounted for 62 of the distractions reported. Distractions outside the vehicle accounted for 35. The other 3 were of undetermined cause. The causes of accidents differed somewhat for rural versus urban areas. Accidents in rural areas were more likely to be due to driver fatigue, insects entering or striking the vehicle, or pet distractions. In urban areas, crashes were more likely to result from rubbernecking, traffic, or cell phone use.

Answer to Question 2

Many factors influence our ability to pay attention, including:
 Anxiety: Being anxious, either by nature (trait-based anxiety) or by situation (state-based anxiety), places constraints on attention.
 Arousal: Your overall state of arousal affects attention as well. You may be tired, drowsy, or drugged, which may limit attention. Being excited sometimes enhances attention.
 Task difficulty: If you are working on a task that is difficult or novel for you, you'll need more attentional resources than when you work on an easy or highly familiar task. Task difficulty particularly influences performance during divided attention.
 Skills: The more practiced and skilled you are in performing a task, the more your attention is enhanced.