Study on Distracted Driving | Report

SMART objective:
To roll out the project in atleast five suburbs of NSW by the end of April within a budget
of $500,000 and to reduce the number of serious road accidents to zero by 2024.
Data from Transport NSW
https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/mobilephones/
technology.html
 The Mobile Phone Detection Camera Program is a component of the overall strategy
to achieve the Government’s target of reducing road fatalities and serious injuries by
30 per cent by 2021 (compared to 2008-2010 levels), and to zero by 2056.
 Automated, camera-based enforcement, coupled with police enforcement, has
played a critical role in addressing other high-risk behaviours on our roads such as
speeding and red light running. These camera programs have proven to help prevent
crashes and reduce road trauma.
 The pilot program, which tested the camera technology from January to June 2019 in
both fixed and transportable (or trailer mounted) modes, proved the technology was
able to operate with high reliability in real world conditions. The cameras produced
clear images in all weather and light conditions, and exceeded expectations related
to the handling, storage and security of data.
 During the pilot more than 100,000 drivers were found to be using a mobile phone
illegally.
 Independent modelling by Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC)
based on the reported crash data estimates that the program will contribute to a
reduction in road trauma of approximately 100 fatal and serious injury crashes over
a five-year period.
 There is strong community support for using cameras to enforce illegal mobile phone
use by motorists.
 A community survey commissioned by Transport for NSW was completed early April
2018, after laws were tabled in NSW Parliament to permit use of the technology.
Three quarters (74 per cent) of those surveyed supported the use of cameras to
enforce mobile phone offences.
 A further survey was undertaken in May 2019, during the pilot, and found the level of
support had increased to 80 per cent.
Data from Acusensus,https://www.acusensus.com/acusensus-headsup-jr-faq
Distracted driving is the new “drink driving” of our age. According to the Centre
for Road Safety approximately 25 per cent of drivers in NSW admit using their
mobile phone whilst driving. Other studies put this rate as high as 70%. An
alarming reality.
In NSW alone, last financial year over 40,000 people were fined for using their
phones while driving. From offi cial statistics, between 2012 to 2017 in NSW there
were 175 crashes involving mobile phones resulting in 9 deaths and 50 serious
injuries. This is harrowing enough however the category is under-reported and the
true number caused by phone use is likely much higher.

Average rates of road fatalities across developed nations like Australia, NZ, USA,
UK and France have been rising steadily for the past 5 years, and are now over
15% higher than their 2013 minimum. This alarming increase has occurred after
decades of year on year improvements and despite four of the five road safety
pillars improving. Vehicle safety systems, trauma care, road infrastructure and
management systems have generally improved, leaving only road user behaviour.
In Acusensus’ view, road user behaviour has worsened, and most of the problem is
attributable to the increased prevalence of mobile phone use.
These are all frightening and harrowing statistics. Our best chance to halt these
painful figures is through education and enforcement.
Fig 1: Crashes by type and region
Interpretation:
This graph evaluates the rate of crashes by type and region. The pink portion is denoting
the crashes by metropolitan and the red portion is defining the crashes by country. It had
been observed that the rate of crashes in rear end is extremely high, while in the off
path, the rate of accident is 6,077. The overtaking in the metropolitan area is less
vulnerable towards crashes. The rate of crashes in this area is only 293. One of the most

significant areas, where the rate of crashes is extremely low is miscellaneous. In this
area, the rate of crash is only 340 and 182 respectively.
Fig 2: Road traffic crashes in NSW, comparison chart for 2018 to 2017
Interpretation:
This graph represents the rate of road traffic crashes in New South Wales in between
2017 to 2018. It had been observed that the rate of serious injuries in the year 2018 is
5230, which is 6.9% lower than 2017. In additional the statistics of unmatched serious
injury in 2018 is 5673, which is 3.6% higher than 2017. The rate of serious injuries in
registered vehicles is 5,571,500. The rate of this kind of accident in New South Wales has
been increased by 2.2% in between 2017 to 2018. The rate of serious injuries by the
license holders is only 19.72, the rate of which has been decreased by 2.2% in between
2017 to 2018.

Fig 3: Causalities from crashes by local government.
Interpretation:
The aim of this graph is to present the causalities of crashes by the local
government. From the graph, it is evident that the crash in Canterbury
Bankstown is extremely severe, the rate of which is 6,750. On the contrary, the
rate of crash in inner West is less severe, the rate of which is 2,700. On the other
hand, the rate of causalities of crash in the central cost is 4,559. From the graph,
it can be said that Junee is one of the most significant regions, where the
causality of crash is less severe.