2005 International Conference on Distracted Driving

Presentations

Welcoming comments

David Flewelling, President, Canadian Automobile Association

Click to view Comments / Click to view Photo

Dr. Herb Simpson, President and CEO, Traffic Injury Research Foundation

Click to view Remarks / Click to view Photo

Opening remarks

Honourable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Transportation for Ontario

Click to view Remarks / Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2

What is Distracted Driving?

A context-setting panel on the definition of distracted driving (what it is and what it is not), the types of distractions, how we determine their safety importance, a description of  the “human factors” mechanisms through which distractions influence the capacity for the safe operation of the vehicle.

Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2

Speakers:

How risky is Distracted Driving – OVERBLOWN OR UNDERSTATED?

This panel session will review what various research approaches -- self reports, collision studies, observational studies, and experimental research -- tell us about the magnitude of the problem of distracted driving. Click to view Photo

Speakers:

WORKSHOPS on RISKS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING

Parallel workshops with directed questions/issues to pursue what is known and not known about the problem (limitations of current knowledge), why it is so difficult to obtain reliable estimates of the size of the problem, what needs to be done to rectify this (research needs, including the types of primary data that need to be collected, and improvements in the quality of secondary data).

Click for Summary by Paul Boase / Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2  

Workshops on Awareness and Educational Programs for Dealing with Distracted Driving

There will not be a panel session on this topic; delegates will go directly to parallel workshops.  Each workshop leader/moderator will be provided with a background report to introduce the issue describing what is known about these approaches for addressing the problem of distracted driving.  Workshops will address issues related to the potential benefits and limitations of such approaches, where efforts are most required, the need for evaluation, and best practices.

Click for Summary by John Lefebvre / Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2  

TECHNOLOGY AND DISTRACTED DRIVING 

This panel will focus on distractions caused by technology and on efforts that have been made (or are needed) to assess and reduce the negative impact of distractions caused by current and planned “in-vehicle technology” (including after-market).  It will also consider technology that can prevent the consequences of distraction. Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

Speakers: 

WORKSHOPS ON TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES

Parallel workshops to consider the benefits and limitations of such approaches and identify priority needs.

Click for Summary by Brian Jonah / Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3  

LEGISLATION, REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT FOR DEALING WITH DISTRACTED DRIVING 

An international review of legislative and regulatory approaches for dealing with distracted driving; evaluations of the impact of such measures; enforcement issues; and public attitudes toward the issue. Click to view Photo

Speakers:

WORKSHOPS ON LEGISLATION, REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Parallel workshops to consider the benefits and limitations of such approaches, to determine what legislation, if any, is needed, and to identify priority issues.

Click for Summary by Deanna Singhal / Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

WORKSHOPS ON WHERE WE GO FROM HERE -- PRIORITY NEEDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Parallel workshops to identify the most critical next steps that need to be taken in dealing with the issue of distracted driving, and who should take them. 

CONFERENCE SYNOPSIS

Summary of general conclusions and consensus emerging from the conference.

Speaker:

Dr. Jim Hedlund, President, Highway Safety North

Click for Summary / Click to view Photo 1, Photo 2

Dinner: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

Conference Summary and Recommendations

April 2006

International Conference on Distracted Driving: Summary of Proceedings and Recommendations

English (418K PDF)