Speeding is one of the primary factors leading to vehicle crashes. In 2008, 31% of all fatal crashes were speeding-related. The estimated economic cost to society for speeding related crashes is $40.4 billion per year.

Driving at higher speeds reduces the ability of drivers to avoid obstacles or react to sudden changes in the roadway environment and increases crash severity. The pervasiveness of speeding behavior is reflected in a recent national survey that showed that approximately 75% of all drivers reported speeding in the past month. Since most drivers often do not see speeding as risky or dangerous behavior, it is imperative that

NHTSA gain a better understanding of the motivations for speeding behaviors in order to develop and refine effective interventions and countermeasures.

NHTSA proposes to conduct follow-up focus groups with 72 participants from an earlier on-road instrumented vehicle data collection conducted in Seattle, WA and College Station, TX.

Focus group recruitment will be based on participants’ speeding patterns in the on-road data. The focus groups will contribute to a better understanding of speeding and speeders, a more accurate taxonomy of high/low speed driver subgroups, and a better understanding of the motives, attitudes and habits of these subgroups. The focus groups will explore speed choices and speeding behaviors and the factors that influence them, beliefs and attitudes toward speeding, reactions to and discussions about specific driving scenarios, and individual/group responses to various speeding countermeasures. The focus groups are expected to provide data relevant to descriptions of key motivations, attitudes, normative commitment to law, driving habits relevant to speeding and speeding

countermeasures; descriptions of countermeasures with the greatest likely benefits; implementation issues and concerns associated with the countermeasures; and key advantages and disadvantages associated with various countermeasures.

Affected Public: NHTSA plans to conduct six focus group sessions, three in Seattle, WA and three in College Station, TX. Each focus group will consist of 8–12 participants and last approximately 80 minutes. Participants will be recruited by e-mail or telephone based on their driving behaviors in the earlier on-road phase of the study and their demographic characteristics. Participation by all respondents would be voluntary and confidential.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: The total estimated annual burden is between 64 and 96 hours, depending on the number of participants (range 8–12) in each group. The respondents would not incur any reporting cost from the information collection. The respondents also would not incur any record keeping burden or record keeping cost from the information collection.

Comments are invited on the following:

(i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(ii) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection;

(iii) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(iv) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

18 states and Washington DC have now passed laws prohibiting drivers of a moving vehicle to text while driving. Yet over 10% of all drivers still continue to text. Many of these drivers are under the age of 29. The University of Utah recently published a study (December 16, 2009) Text Messaging During Simulated Driving, which found that drivers who texting have a much greater chance for an vehicle incident (6 times) than those who use a hand-held cell phone.

Recently I have been speaking at regional and local safety conferences on the topic of driver distraction, You Can Drive Me To Distraction. During these presentations I ask the audience how many people either text or use a cell phone (hand-held or hands free) while they drive. When I ask them to be honest, more than 60% of the people raise their hands.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distraction as:

Distraction is anything that diverts the driver’s attention from the primary tasks of navigating the vehicle and responding to critical events.  To put it another way, a distraction is anything that takes your eyes off the road (visual distraction), your mind off the road (cognitive distraction), or your hands off the wheel (manual distraction).  So when you think about tasks that can be a driving distraction, you can see that they often fit into more than one category: eating is visual and manual, whereas using a navigation system is all three.

Both the National Safety Council and the NHTSA have become very active in awareness programs and getting laws passed which prohibit the used of any electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.  To make the point much clearer click on this link and watch this video (hint; it is a little hard to watch, be prepared).

So, what’s that message here?  Any time you lose focus on driving for only 2 seconds, your reaction time to avoid an incident is the same as if your blood alcohol level is .08 or the DUI limit.  We must stay alert and focused to stay alive and keep others from getting killed or injured.

MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS ARE THE #1 CAUSE OF EMPLOYEE DEATH AND INJURY.

More people have died in 1 year from texting related incidents in the US, than all the service people who have died in the middle east conflict since 2003.

Winter is almost here.  Some places have already experienced snowfall and hazardous roads.  Here are some winter driving tips for you to consider.

Tip #1: First, check to make sure your vehicle is mechanically ready for the winter.

• Make sure your windshield wipers work properly. For some, snow blades may be a better choice than the all season blades. Visibility is key for driving in not-so-good weather conditions

• Take your vehicle in for a mechanical check up on anti-freeze/coolant, oil changes, windshield wiper fluid, and take care of any major vehicle issues that could possibly become hazardous during the winter season.

• Also, check to make sure that your tires are properly inflated, under or over inflation can reduce the gripping action of the tires due to the tread not meeting the road surface which may cause or increase your chances of getting into an accident.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full. More fuel in your tank will help reduce moisture problems and also helps to add weight.

• For RWD vehicles, extra weight may be necessary. Make sure it is distributed evenly and securely fastened. Bags of sand or kitty litter are great choices and help provide traction in case you go into the ditch or become stuck.

Tip #2: During snowy winter months, set your alarm clock to an earlier time leaving you with plenty of time to get to work in case of accidents and traffic back-ups.

Tip #3: Start your vehicle 10 minutes before leaving to get the vehicle warmed up. Also make sure that you fully brush off your windshield, all windows, mirrors, brake lights and headlights. Do not brush off little patches, you want to be noticed when your driving down the road and it can become very dangerous.

Tip #4: Always wear your seatbelt!

Tip #5: Choose the best route for work. Avoid hills, crowded areas and bridges.

Tip #6: Do not use a cell phone while driving in the snow or on ice. Concentrate on driving not the conversation. Your life could depend on it. (Note: See blog “Is Texting While Driving Deadly?”)

Tip #7: Drive with caution, be aware of posted speed limits and leave enough room for the driver in front of you in case you have to stop abruptly. Be advised that during serious weather conditions, it is best to slow down even in posted areas to help prevent accidents.

Tip # 8: Importantly, stay alert to the actions of other drivers. You do not know what their next move could be. Anticipate vehicles from side streets, in front of you, as well as behind you.

Tip #9: Keep your vehicle stocked with simple emergency equipment in case you do get into an accident or stall. Consider having these essentials tucked away in your vehicle:

• Blankets

• A small shovel

• Tow rope

• Bag of sand or kitty litter for traction

• Long jumper cables

• Flashlights

• Flares or neon sticks

• A cell phone, C.B. Radio or ham radio

• A windshield scraper and brush

• Snacks (it’s best if you leave energy or snack bars in a place like your glove compartment or center council compared to a backpack or storage place where they could ultimately be left for a period of time and could stale.)

• Non-alcoholic beverages (also should be left up front where could be visibly seen. You don’t want to drink anything that’s been sitting for a while.)

• Candles and matches

• An extra or old pair of winter boots

• Gloves, hats, scarf’s, etc (you wouldn’t want to be outside in a harsh winter with just your work cloths on.)

• And anything else you may consider to be part of your emergency kit.

Tip #10: Use Common Sense. If you feel that you pose a danger while driving or feel that you could be in danger, stay home, its not worth losing your life over it.

Keep you and other drivers safe for the winter season by using these tips.