SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000055 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SOCI UNGA EU UNDP SW SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING REF: A. STOCKHOLM 39 ¶B. STATE 6703 ¶1. Lars Darin, Deputy Director, Department of Highway Safety, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, told Post on February 5 that Sweden has no laws or regulations that explicitly regulate use of cell phones or texting while driving. Darin noted, however, that there are provisions in the road traffic ordinance that stipulate a driver "shall show consideration for the circumstances in order to avoid accidents." Swedish law further states that a vehicle may not be driven by anyone who because of illness, fatigue, influence of alcohol or other drugs, or other reasons cannot drive the vehicle safely, according to Darin. He opined that while not expressly codified into Swedish law, provisions in traffic ordinances imply distracted driving would be illegal. ¶2. Darin said that in 2003, the Swedish National Road and Transportation Research Institute conducted studies to examine the relationship between phone use and its impact on driver ability. The study concluded that phone usage negatively impacts driving ability, adding that the type of phone equipment used, for example hands-free devices, did not compensate for the increase in driver distraction associated with phone use. The Swedish Road Administration requested the Monash University in Australia confirm the conclusions of the study, which it did in 2007. ¶3. Darin also said that the Swedish Road Administration conducts in-depth studies for every fatal traffic accident in Sweden. As part of the inquiry, investigators try to determine if fatigue or driver distraction caused the accident. However, investigators have found it difficult to prove cell phone usage as a cause of accidents, according to Darin. He said Sweden has not conducted any nationwide distracted driving awareness or education campaigns, primarily because the effectiveness of these campaigns is questioned by many in Sweden. Darin said that Sweden has not conducted research into the effectiveness of laws, law enforcement or other educational efforts to reduce distracted driving in Sweden. BARZUN