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