DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING: DANISH RESPONSE

UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000084 SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/S Nancy Carter-Foster E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SOCI UNDP UNGA DK SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING: DANISH RESPONSE REF: A. STATE 6703 ¶B. 02/11/10 E-mail Gregersen to Carter-Foster ¶1. On Feb 2, Embassy ESTH specialist shared ref A points on distracted driving with Joen Kellberg, Administrator, Department of Roads, Ministry of Transport. Kellberg thanked Post for providing this information. He added that Denmark has campaigned and will continue to campaign against distracted driving, and that there is ongoing research addressing this issue. He took on the task to provide Post with additional information about Denmark's laws, campaigns and traffic data after consultations with colleagues from other ministries. ¶2. On February 11 Kellberg reported his findings to Emb ESTH specialist. Overall, distracted driving is not allowed under the Danish Traffic Ordinance. The law requires all drivers (and riders of bicycles or horses) to be considerate and adequately alert and focused at all times. Specifically on the use of cell phones, the Ministry of Justice informed Post that according to the Traffic Ordinance, no driver (or rider) of any vehicle is allowed to use a handheld cell phone. Notably, although it is strongly discouraged, it is not forbidden to use a device (phone) for communicating while driving, as long as the communication does not require handling. ¶3. Kellberg shared links to statistical data on traffic accidents in Denmark. Unfortunately, the overall Danish statistics are of limited value when investigating how distractions are related to accidents. Because authorities need a court order in each separate case, Denmark has no systematic registration of the use of cell phones in relation to accidents. It is therefore reasonable to suspect a significant under-reporting of accidents caused by driver distractions including the use of cell phones. ¶4. An in-depth study was released by the Danish Road Traffic Accident Investigation Board in 2009. The study showed that of 207 accidents investigated, 50% could be related to a lack of awareness while driving. The Police reports that the number of drivers fined for the use of cell phones while driving rose 40 percent from 2008 to 2009 (from 21,700 to 30,000). In 2009, 95 percent of Danes aged 16-74 had a cell phone. Of these, 89 percent had sent a text message within the last three months. At the end of June 2009, authorities reported that the 5.5 million Danes had 6.9 million active cell phones. In the first half of 2009, a total of 6.5 billion text messages were sent. On average, this corresponds to every Dane sending more than 6 text messages per day. ¶5. In the 1990s Danish Authorities conducted two nationwide campaigns addressing the use of cell phones while driving. The 1996 campaign warned the public against talking on the phone while driving. The second campaign in 1998 introduced the ban on the use of handheld cell phones while driving. In 2010, the Danish Road Agency will run a campaign against lack of awareness and distracted driving. ¶6. On February 11, the traffic research unit at the Danish Technical University (DTU) launched a report on the degree of distraction associated with a wide range of driving distractions. The report ranks the distractions by how seriously they are compromising road safety. One main conclusion is that conversation with passengers, in particular displeased children in the back seat, constitutes a far more serious threat to road safety than any other category of distraction, including the use of cell phones. One sixth of accidents investigated were caused by in-vehicle communication. The handling of dogs or babies increases the risk of having an accident nine-fold. The second most dangerous driving distraction was found to be handling of the car stereo; third: using a cell phone; fourth: adjusting vehicle air-conditioner/heater; fifth: eating or drinking while driving. ¶7. Specifically on texting while driving, the DTU tested 24 individuals in a car simulator. This part of the research indicates that the distraction of the sight and motor senses related to texting caused wobbling and difficulties staying in the correct lane. When talking with passengers, braking capability was compromised. ¶8. Minister of Justice Brian Mikkelsen announced on January 8 that he will read the DTU report carefully before deciding whether or not there is a need for tougher sanctions against the use of handheld cell phones while driving. FULTON