The list of features on your smartphone is likely a long one. But there's one most phones have that we want to pay particular attention to here. It's the “do not disturb” feature that can block or limit distraction. If you're not using this feature on your phone, you should because it could help prevent distracted driving, something that contributes to more than 9% of deadly crashes according to NHTSA (though AAA says researchers believe that number is higher).
The AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety recently did a study to see how effective the "do not disturb" feature really is at curbing driver distraction and found that when activated, the feature can indeed be effective in reducing smartphone interactions like texting when driving. In its report, AAA says unfortunately, only a small percentage of drivers use this feature while driving and researchers say it's often only on a subset of their driving trips.
Despite texting bans in almost all 50 states, AAA says distraction remains a prevalent problem among drivers, especially younger generations.
“Distracted driving continues to be a major traffic safety concern,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Despite their potential to reduce distraction, smartphone technology-based countermeasures are not widely used by drivers. This study aimed to uncover how to encourage more people to use such features to stay focused on the driving task and improve safety.”
Why Drivers Avoid "do not disturb" Features
The new study examined why drivers avoid using “do not disturb” features and also how to overcome their objections. Researchers found that there are some misconceptions about how the features work. For example, AAA says drivers cited limited access to music and navigation as reasons not to activate their smartphone-blocking "do not disturb” features, but that's not how the technology works. You can still listen to music and get navigation with it enabled. Other barriers drivers mentioned included not realizing these features were available or forgetting to turn them on.
Then there is the FOMO, or the fear of missing out, factor. AAA says its another overarching theme regarding why drivers shy away from turning on these features. People worry they'll miss an an important call or text while driving if they turn the feature on.
Despite this resistance, AAA says many drivers favor “do not disturb” features that automatically turn on during stressful situations like heavy rain, snow, or traffic. Researchers say this preference suggests that drivers are more inclined to use this feature to reduce distraction when there are greater demands on their attention.
Other factors that would influence the use of “do not disturb” features include:
- Improved accuracy in recognizing when a user is not a driver
- Control over what apps are restricted
- Insurance discounts
On-Road Study Involving Younger Drivers
The study revealed that younger drivers (age 18 – 24), a group more likely to use their phones when behind the wheel, are also more knowledgeable about “do not disturb” features than older generations. But that doesn't mean they feel the need to use them. Researchers say this group tends to believe they can use their phone safely while driving without do not disturb features.
Since this aged group is more prone to driving distracted, researchers were curious as to whether improved awareness and understanding of the features through training and education could led to to increased usage. To find out, AAA conducted an on-road study. Participants, ages 18 – 24, were monitored for 10 weeks. Half the time there was no intervention and the other 5 weeks using a “do not disturb” feature. Between the two periods, drivers took a survey to their assess current knowledge of the technology, followed by training on how to use it. AAA says it is important to note that the “do not disturb” feature was set to turn on automatically when driving was detected, and participants were told to keep this setting on for the remainder of the study.
Study Results
Before training –
- 50% of participants did not know their phone had a “do not disturb” feature
- 85% reported not knowing how to use it
- 65% did not know it could be set to turn on automatically when driving was detected
After training –
- · 100% of participants knew their phone had a “do not disturb” feature, knew how to use it, and that it could be set to turn on automatically
- · 41% decrease in smartphone interactions
- · 6% less likely to pick up their phone
- · Opinions of “do not disturb” features remained unchanged
“We’ve all witnessed how smartphones can lead to distraction and risky driving, but it’s possible these devices could help us to prevent it,” said Jake Nelson, Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy & Research for AAA. “Increasing the use of Do Not Disturb technology requires more than building awareness. It requires behavior-focused strategies, smarter automation, consistent reinforcement through social norms, and possibly small incentives.”
How to encourage the use of "do not disturb" features
AAA recommends the following to encourage the use of "do not disturb" features while driving:
- Increase awareness through targeted public education campaigns
- Integrate education of “do not disturb” features into driver training and licensing programs
- · Improve automatic activation and situational awareness features (i.e., recognizing when the user is a passenger versus a driver)
- · Use reminders and incentives to encourage drivers to use “do not disturb” features
- Address misconceptions through in-app messaging
- ·Leverage influencers to promote the use of this technology, especially to younger audiences
To read the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's full report, click HERE.
Photo Credit: Apple.